Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE and Belarus parliaments have called for the deepening of economic ties and the ratification of various agreements signed by their respective governments.
This came out on Wednesday at a meeting between Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda and his counterpart, Mr Igor Sergeyenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.
Adv Mudenda, who is also Zanu PF’s secretary-general, is leading a Zimbabwe delegation in Minsk, Belarus, attending parliamentary engagements and participating in the Belarus Political Party Second International Conference on State Sovereignty and Principles of International Relations, which began yesterday and will end on Sunday.
The two leaders held a meeting on Wednesday and signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement aimed at deepening relations between the two countries’ parliaments.
“In this regard, Speaker Sergeyenko assured his counterpart that Belarus pledges to accelerate trade relations to surpass the current low levels, with the aim of reaching the target agreed upon by the principals.
In addition, Speaker Sergeyenko reaffirmed Belarus’ support for ongoing projects, including in the agricultural sector, to boost production efficiency for food sovereignty.
“Furthermore, Belarus will continue to provide educational scholarships, noting that 150 students are currently studying in Belarus. Additionally, Belarus is keen to explore other areas of potential cooperation, such as in industrial development and cultural exchanges.
“Appreciating the support extended to Zimbabwe by Belarus, particularly in agriculture, which has witnessed a transformed agricultural landscape, Speaker Mudenda urged Belarus to explore other areas of cooperation, including tourism, exchanges among tertiary institutions with a bias towards STEM, innovation and technological advancement, as well as the positive harnessing of Artificial Intelligence,” reads a statement from Parliament.
The two Speakers noted that 36 Agreements in various economic sectors have been signed between the two Republics and should be ratified by both Parliaments so that they are enforceable at law.
“To date, the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus has ratified four agreements.
“In the same vein, Speaker Mudenda undertook to engage the responsible Ministers to table the Agreements so that they can be ratified expeditiously. Speaker Mudenda urged both Parliaments to ensure that signed Agreements do not remain ‘paper tigers’” the statement further reads.
In response, Advocate Mudenda assured his counterpart that the Parliament of Zimbabwe would establish a Zimbabwe-Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Association.
“On the international scene, Speaker Mudenda expressed satisfaction with the mutual support of respective positions underpinned by common principles of multilateralism as enshrined in Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, which establishes a framework of sovereign equality among nations.
“On that basis, the two Republics have stood firm against some imperialist manoeuvres of some countries, despite the illegal sanctions that have been imposed on Belarus and Zimbabwe.
“In this context, Speaker Mudenda extended Zimbabwe’s gratitude to Belarus for supporting Zimbabwe’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 period.
“The support is indeed reciprocal, given that Belarus’ sporting restrictions were lifted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under the leadership of Zimbabwe’s former Sports Minister, Mrs Kirsty Coventry, the president of the IOC,” the statement further reads.
