Online Reporter
Fungi Kwaramba in MINSK, Belarus and Kuda Bwititi in MOSCOW, Russia
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa arrived in Belarus yesterday on a four-day State Visit that seeks to consolidate the already excellent diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
The President was received at the Minsk International Airport by Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Karenkevich Viktor Milkhallovich and Foreign Affairs Minister Ryzhenkov Maxim Vladimiroch.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Belarus Graham Ignatius Mudzimba and several Zimbabwean Cabinet ministers were also at the airport to receive President Mnangagwa.
In a demonstration of the deepening economic and political ties between the two countries, the President was received at the airport by a group of Zimbabwean students who are studying here.
Interacting with the students, the President implored them to be disciplined, focused and hoist the Zimbabwean flag high as worthwhile ambassadors.
Speaking to journalists following the arrival of the President, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said President Mnangagwa is creating an environment for Zimbabwe to thrive through increased economic cooperation and collaboration with all willing partners.
“President Mnangagwa is paying a four-day state visit to the Republic of Belarus. Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus have excellent relations. As you know, we are involved in many fields, mainly in the technology and science and education. We have several agreements that range above 50.
“As you know, we have now recognised each other’s qualifications and mutual recognition of qualifications. So that area is done. At the same time, we are having a lot of cooperation in the agricultural area. You have seen the silos that we made in Zimbabwe, as well as the tractors and agricultural engineering, this is a very important area. We are also working with Belarus in the medical and engineering areas,” said Prof Murwira.
He said because Zimbabwe and Belarus are aligned both politically and economically, it is important to grow the economic part because “ukama igasva”.
“Because if we don’t grow the economic part of our relationship, we won’t be able to grow the business part of our relationship. So, His Excellency’s doctrine that Zimbabwe is open for business is actually being implemented. We build our country through mutually beneficial relationships.
“One of the main pillars of our foreign policy is to build an international environment in which Zimbabwe can thrive. So this is part of that effort. So, foreign policy is to make sure that Zimbabwe fosters an international environment in which we can thrive,” said Prof Murwira.
He added that the President is fulfilling the country’s Constitution, which in Chapter 2 sets about the national objectives, that include building a democratic, independent, prosperous society where people are happy and have fulfilling lives.
“Then, if that is the objective, we have to have the method of making that happen. This is how we make it happen. And this is enabling it. So, we are very pleased to be here. His Excellency is pleased to be here. He was in the Russian Federation, and now he’s in Belarus. Doing the same thing. Creating an international environment in which Zimbabwe can thrive. So, we are looking forward to this four-day State Visit. And we are sure that it will get us results. And results are what we are looking for. Both for Belarus and for Zimbabwe,” said Prof Murwira.
On his part, Ambassador Mudzimba said Zimbabwe has so much to learn from Belarus, especially as the country has been able to develop economically even under Western sanctions.
“The Belarusians have managed to ward off this whole issue of restrictions and sanctions, and we seem to see the economy is booming. Certainly, the economy is booming. These people have worked hard to be where they are today, considering that they went through a very bitter war.
“Just recently, you know, they’ve just celebrated their victory day, which means they’ve gone through a lot of suffering. This country was destroyed almost to ashes, but they’ve built the country from what it was to where it is today. The economy is functioning because 95 percent of the economy is in the hands of the public, the people themselves. Only 5 percent is what they call the private sector. These are parastratals, you know. These are parastratals which are making a profit,” he said.
Ambassador Mudzimba said the tractors and agricultural implements that Zimbabwe is importing from Belarus are being produced by public companies.
“This is why it is also easier for us as the Government of Zimbabwe to go into partnership with them, because whatever you agree, you know that is what will happen.”
President Mnangagwa is expected to have a series of meetings today as he seeks to lure investors to Zimbabwe.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbra Rwodzi, Minister of State Security Lovemore Matuke, Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Prof Mthuli Ncube and senior Government officials are part of the President’s delegation.
Earlier yesterday, President Mnangagwa left Russia, describing his visit to Moscow as “rewarding” after he engaged in high level talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
He was seen off at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport by Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Responsible for Africa and the Middle East Mr Mikhail Bogdanov and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Russia, Mark Grey Marongwe.
Speaking to journalists just before departure, the President said: “We have excellent and revolutionary relations between Harare and Moscow. I had the opportunity of meeting my dear brother President Putin and we had discussions about our relations and our co-operation. I’m so happy that he gave me the opportunity for us to exchange views about how we can promote and deepen our co-operation.”
The President revealed that the talks he held with President Putin were pivotal to cementing a strategic partnership between Harare and Moscow.
“I think it has been a very positive and rewarding visit because we were able to discuss about the needs which we have as Zimbabweans and which we believe that Russia can assist us in our development trajectory as a people.”
At the Victory Day celebrations on Friday, President Mnangagwa was among the dozens of world leaders who witnessed a scintillating military display by over 11 500 forces from Russia and its allies.
Russia commemorates the May 9 Victory Day annually to mark the formal surrender of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in World War II (known as the Great Patriotic War in Russia).
World War II was the largest armed conflict in the history of mankind, causing the death of tens of millions of people, mostly innocent civilians.
An estimated 27 million Russian soldiers died during the war.
President Mnangagwa arrived in Moscow on Thursday last week and was one of the Heads of State who attended a reception and gala dinner hosted by President Putin on that day.
On Friday, after attending the Victory Day celebrations, he met dozens of Zimbabweans studying in Russia to hear their concerns. He urged the students to bring their bright ideas back home to develop the country when they complete their studies.
