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Herald Reporters
Russia is ready to continue developing constructive ties with African countries and to actively participate in various programmes, Russian ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Jergey Bakharev has said.
Speaking at the celebration of the national day of the Federation of Russia in Harare yesterday, Mr Bakharev said political dialogue, business co-operation and humanitarian contacts between the two countries were improving.
“We are sure that by joint efforts we can strengthen and diversify considerably all the range of the win-win contacts, to start implementing new mutually beneficial projects,” he said.
Mr Bakharev said Russia and Zimbabwe relations were still lagging behind economically, but given the two countries’ bilateral goodwill and joint efforts, co-operation could be extended and consolidated.
He said Russia could offer Zimbabwe technological products in different spheres, including geological exploration and energy.
Zimbabwe could also benefit from Russian’s knowledge and expertise on prospecting, production and transportation of natural resources, said Mr Bakharev.
Speaking at the same occasion, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said the ties between Zimbabwe and Russia, that stretch back to the liberation struggle continued to be shown.
“They have a lot of expertise and machinery in the mining sector and we hope to benefit a lot from them,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mutsvangwa said a planned visit by the Russian Foreign Affairs minister later this year was expected to cement existing relations.
Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Minister of State for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training Cde Josiah Hungwe, Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga and other officials attended the event.
Online Reporter