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Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
CABINET yesterday considered and noted a report on the Inaugural Annual Africa Peace and Security Dialogue held in Gauteng, South Africa, from October 4 to 6 and another report on the Zambia-Zimbabwe Bilateral Consultative Meeting held in Livingstone, Zambia on October 18.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the Thabo Mbeki Foundation Inaugural Annual Peace and Security Dialogue was held under the theme: “Towards a peaceful and secure Africa: Challenges and opportunities.”
“The objective of the annual peace and security dialogue was to address the critical peace and security challenges facing the continent with a special focus on the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the Ministerial session of the bilateral consultative meeting was attended by the Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, together with the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Zambia and the Zambian Ambassador to Zimbabwe and other senior government officials from both countries.
“The meeting discussed matters of mutual interest with a view to preserving and consolidating the excellent bilateral relations that have always existed between the countries.
“Cabinet wishes to reiterate that the relations between the two countries remain strong and excellent as ever,” said Dr Muswere.
Speaking at the same occasion, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said meetings conducted with key international organisations and other countries are aimed at enhancing diplomatic relations and fostering collaboration on global issues.
He emphasised the importance of building strong partnerships with other countries as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The meetings were part of the broader strategy to increase the country’s influence on the international stage for sustainable development as informed by the country’s policy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none.
“Zimbabwe must endeavour to always have peaceful co-existence with its neighbours near and far for us to be able to create the objective of a society that is prosperous, that is happy. This can only happen when our relations with neighbours near and far are good,” said Prof Murwira.
“Therefore the peace and security conference which was held by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation in South Africa is one of the ways in which we project this image as a participant of peaceful organisations.”
In the meeting with his Zambian counterpart, Prof Murwira said they were directed by their two principals, President Mnangagwa and President Hichilema, to follow-up on their memorandum of understanding.
“We were mandated to have the consultative meeting according to our MoU by the Presidents to make sure we maintain this dialogue and make sure our relations remain strong and excellent in the interests of making sure we live in peace and harmony with our neighbours near and far.”
Prof Murwira emphasised that such meetings strengthened the country’s foreign policy.
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