Six envoys present credentials to President

credentials to President Mugabe at State House.
President Mugabe, who is also the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, received the credentials with Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Stan Mudenge and Secretary Ambassador Joey Bimha.
The six ambassadors are – Ms Ingebjorg Stofring from Norway, Mr Mathew Neuhaus from Australia, Mr Christos Salamanis from Greece, Dr Koang Tutlan-Dung from Ethiopia.
Others included Dr Geoffrey Randal from New Zealand and Mr Mohamed Ould Hannani from Mauritania.
In interviews after they presented their credentials, the diplomats pledged to work to strengthen bilateral co-operation between Zimbabwe and their respective countries.
Diplomats from News Zealand, Greece, Australia and Norway that imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe expressed hope that relations would improve between the countries.
But they, however, said their position would remain bound by a collective decision of the European Union, which they are either members or submit themselves to the Western bloc’s decisions.
Incoming Australian Ambassador Neuhaus claimed that there have been “restrictive measures” targeted at individuals, a euphemistic term that the West has always used in reference to the illegal sanctions.
He, however, appeared to be contradicting himself when he alleged that there has been violation of the Global Political Agreement but still admitted that there has been improvement in Zimbabwe.
“There have been targeted measures against individuals. We hope we will continue to deal with the issue. There is great prospect for the relations to improve,” said Mr Neuhaus.
He was reminded that several companies from those countries that imposed sanctions are not allowed to do business with Zimbabwean firms.
“The only company that I know with restrictions is the Zimbabwe Defence Industries . . . We do have difficulties with public companies but for private companies, they are free to engage with anyone,” he said.
Incoming Norwegian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ms Stofring declined to be drawn into commenting on illegal sanctions.
She, however, chose to focus on the humanitarian aid her country is extending to Zimbabwe.
She said the African Development Bank had set offices in Harare and Norway was one country that contributed immensely to that goal.
“I hope relations will be strengthened during my tenure,” she said.
Incoming New Zealand ambassador Dr Randal said Zimbabwe and his country’s major area of co-operation had been that of sport – cricket, but more areas could be explored.
Mauritania ambassador Mr Hannani said possible areas of co-operation with Harare included fisheries as Zimbabwe could import fish from it.
“We have a very healthy fishery sector and we will try to explore that, and export fish to Zimbabwe,” said Mr Hannani.
Newly-appointed Ethiopian ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Tutlan-Dung noted that Addis Ababa and Harare had strong political relations but that had not transformed into economic ties other than an airline that plies to Zimbabwe.
“My task here is to deal with economic ties, we already have infrastructure, we can trade in leather and expertise, mining and agriculture,” he said.