Zim-Russia co-operation reaches peak

agriculture, manufacturing of machinery and equipment, hi-tech and ICT spheres. 
“We have a good level of political co-operation. Our countries maintain a very frank dialogue both bilaterally and within the framework of multilateral organisations that is nourished by very similar views on international agenda. Such solid foundation provides for increased economic and trade co-operation,” Ruslan Golubovskiy, Russian Embassy’s economic counsellor in Harare, told The Southern Times in an interview recently. “Russia and Zimbabwe are enjoying very cordial relations based on decades of friendship, dating from the early days of Zimbabwean people’s armed struggle for national liberation, which we are very proud to have supported,” the diplomat said, adding: “It gives us great pleasure that that our support contributed to bringing freedom in Southern Africa.”
The official stressed that “our friendship does not depend on some passing geo-political conjuncture but is shaped by similar world perspectives that oppose the concept of uni-polar world”.
“We share similar views in respect of international law, the principles of equality and I’m quite happy we understand each other well,” he added, explaining that both Russia and Zimbabwe are calling for the UN to play the central role in today’s world.
“But we need to extend such high level of political cooperation to other areas as well — economic, cultural, scientific” said Golubovskiy.
The diplomat highlighted that despite Zimbabwe having experienced a tough economic and political time on the back of unilateral western sanctions as well as the consequences of the world financial crisis, Russia hails the Zimbabwean government’s efforts in stabilising the country’s economy.
Russian business is looking forward to participating in mutually beneficial joint ventures in Zimbabwe.
He added that a lot of effort was currently being applied in order to further strengthen the bilateral legal base that would help to attract more Russian companies into the country.
Golubovskiy further indicated that the two countries are also currently exploring opportunities to strengthen co-operation in such areas as education, sports and culture, reflecting the successful training of Zimbabwean cadres in Russia since the liberation struggle, and arguing that both countries have a “good foundation and good traditions and, above all, political will demonstrated by presidents Mugabe and Putin. There were many Zimbabwean graduates who received their education in the former USSR. They brought the knowledge back home and were now contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
These good old traditions carry on, and the Russian Ministry of Education is extending a comprehensive programme of co-operation with African countries every year. — The Southern Times.