adminChristopher Farai Charamba Herald Reporter
Switzerland has pledged to support Zimbabwe’s re-engagement efforts with international financial institutions while committing to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. Speaking during Switzerland’s national day recently, Swiss Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Ruth Huber said her country was assisting Harare with strategies to clear arrears to international financial institutions.
“We stand ready to continue supporting the process, which we consider a necessary first step on the path to economic recovery and the development of Zimbabwe.” She said her country and Zimbabwe were close to signing an agreement on international cooperation strengthening relations between the two countries.
“Our activities show that Switzerland is strengthening its presence in Zimbabwe. We have recently concluded negotiations of an Agreement on International Cooperation and will sign it in the coming months, in order to place our bilateral collaboration in a clear legal framework,” she said.
She said her country’s regional development programme for Southern Africa implemented through the Agency for Development and Cooperation had relocated to Zimbabwe.
“Through this regional programme we support different initiatives and projects in areas of food security and HIV/AIDS. Different institutions from Zimbabwe benefit from these development projects, alongside other SADC countries such as Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho and Swaziland as well as the SADC-Secretariat in Botswana,” she said.
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Edgar Mbwembwe, said Zimbabwe appreciated the continued support Switzerland had given in the re-engagement process. “I take this opportunity to acknowledge your country’s significant support in the ongoing negotiations between Zimbabwe and the international financial insitutions.
“The success of these negotiations will go a long way in enabling Zimbabwe to deal with some of its formidable and surmountable challenges. “It will take a great deal of cooperation and confidence building for us to once again be a competitive actor in the global economy,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mbwembwe said Zimbabwe was committed to strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. “We are confident that this incipient dialogue will open many opportunities for the mutual benefit of our two countries. Let me assure you of our commitment to continue engaging in fruitful dialogue with the Swiss government.,” he said.
The Swiss national day falls on August 1 and was founded 725 years ago.
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