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Abigail Mawonde and Target Shumba
Russia considers Zimbabwe as one of its top prospective partners for economic, technical, humanitarian and cultural co-operation, the Russian ambassador to Zimbabwe has said.
Speaking at an event to mark the Russian national day celebrations in Harare on Tuesday, Mr Sergey Bakharev said through joint efforts, the two countries could strengthen and considerably diversify mutually beneficial contracts.
“We are sure that by joint efforts we can strengthen and diversify considerably all the range of the win-win contracts, to start implementing new (and) mutually projects,” Mr Bakharev said.
He said relations between Zimbabwe and Russia, dating back from the pre-independence era, continued to grow, culminating in the signing of the $4 billion joint platinum mining venture last year.
“I am confident that those agreements reached between our countries will assist us to bring our trade and economic relations to a completely new level that will match our excellent political dialogue,” said Mr Bakharev.
He said it was important for such deals to come to fruition for the benefit of the two countries.
“Let all our plans and projects become true for the benefit of the friendly peoples of Russia and Zimbabwe,” said Mr Bakharev.
President Mugabe visited Moscow last month to attend the commemoration of the 70th Victory Day in World War II during which he held a meeting with his Russian counterpart, President Vladimir Putin.
Mr Bakharev paid tribute to the increasingly important role that President Mugabe was playing on the global stage in his capacity as the chairperson of both the African Union and Sadc.
He said Africa remained one of Russia’s foreign policy priorities.
Speaking at the same event, Ministry of Foreign Affairs director for Europe and the Americas Ambassador Chitsaka Chipaziwa said on behalf of the Government, they were heartily celebrating the growing and diversified relations between the two countries.
The reception was attended by senior Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and civil society.
Online Reporter