Zim, Nicaragua joint commission on the cards

Mukudzei Chingwere  in MANAGUA, Nicaragua

Zimbabwe and Nicaragua are in discussion over the possibility of convening a Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC), which will provide a framework for identifying and stepping up areas of cooperation.

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is here for the 45th Sandinista anniversary (national independence), revealed this after a meeting with the host’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dennis Moncada Colindres.

Although primarily here in solidarity with the Central America country, the VP and his delegation are taking advantage of their presence to further Zimbabwe’s economic development thrust in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision for an empowered upper middle economy by 2030.

“I am satisfied with the excellent relations that exist between Zimbabwe and Nicaragua, but there is a need to explore ways of enhancing cooperation between our two countries, as well as to exchange high level visits in order to share ideas and experiences,” said VP                              Chiwenga.

“Nicaragua has just opened their embassy in Harare and so our cooperation is now going to be enhanced and we are going to use the window of our Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation which is spearheaded by our Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“So, that the economic ministries can meet and share, the Joint Permanent Commission will have varied issues to dwell on including social ministries, but mainly we are looking at the economic ministries,” said the VP.

In the discussions, VP Chiwenga referred to the excellent bilateral relations between the two sister republics and highlighted meetings held in 2019 when Nicaragua sent a high-powered delegation to the funeral of the late former President Cde Robert Mugabe.

He also spoke on the shared unfortunate albatross of economic sanctions that both countries are having to contend with and said such shared unfortunate circumstances should spare mutually beneficial collaboration.

“The Government of Zimbabwe continues to hold Nicaragua and its principled leadership in very high esteem and will always cherish the strong bonds of friendship that exist between the two countries,” said VP Chiwenga.

Minister Colindres said they are keen to expand economic cooperation in various sectors of the economy including agriculture.