Zimbabwe-Belarus reviews implementation of key agreements

The Mid-Term Review of the Zimbabwe-Belarus Joint Permanent Commission (JPCC) opened in Harare this morning with the senior officials’ meeting discussing the agenda of the review meeting that will run until 16 April.

The review will assess the implementation status of previously agreed cooperation frameworks in agriculture, industrial production, education, energy, transport, and facilitation of investment.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira and his Belarus counterpart, Mr Maxim Ryzhenkov, will co-chair the review of the JPCC between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Belarus.

Our Reporter Farirai Machivenyika is at the Harare International Conference Centre where the event is taking place.

Stay tuned for live updates.

Zimbabwe’s development trajectory commended

In his remarks during the opening ceremony, Belarus’s Head of the Department of Africa and the Middle East in the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yury Nikolaichik commended Zimbabwe on its development trajectory.

“It is nice to see how this friendly country is developing. Belarusian-Zimbabwean cooperation continues at various levels – from the Presidents’ offices to ordinary citizens.

“The most important result achieved so far was the supply of equipment within the third phase of the joint Agricultural Mechanization Facility Programme 2.

“In accordance with the needs of Zimbabwe, significant attention will be paid to issues to do with the harvesting and storage of crops,” he said.

‘Zim-Belarus agreements must bear fruitful results’

Mr Pearson Chigiji, Chief Director for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and head of Zimbabwe’s senior officials’ delegation urged the two countries to take advantage of the close ties between their two leaders to strengthen relations.

“The close relationship that exists between our leaders – President Emmerson Mnangagwa and President Alexander Lukashenko – is the bedrock upon which the Zimbabwe-Belarus partnership is built.

“We must seize this opportunity to engage strategically. Through such engagements, we can chart a path towards tangible and mutually beneficial cooperation between our nations.

“We must ensure that what we agree upon today is not only captured in written agreements, but is implemented. Failure to do so will render our deliberations void.

“Let us remain open to discussing any other issues of mutual interest as our partnership continues to evolve,” Mr Chigiji said.

Zimbabwe and Belarus commit to further deepen ties

In a statement, the director of Public Diplomacy, Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mrs Philisiwe Chidawanyika said the gathering signals a critical moment for Zimbabwe’s international cooperation strategy.

“Zimbabwe and Belarus enjoy excellent relations that have seen the exchange of high-level visits, increased political and economic cooperation and deepened collaborative efforts between the two countries at multilateral forums.

“This includes the call for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on both countries and the importance of upholding the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,” she said.

The three-day meeting is expected to produce a comprehensive report outlining the progress of existing projects and proposing new areas for strategic cooperation.

Zim-Belarus explore new areas of cooperation

Zimbabwe and Belarus should take advantage of their cordial relations to explore new areas of cooperation, Belarus Head of Africa and the Middle East in the country’s Ministry of Foreign  Affairs, Mr Yuri Nikolaichik has said.

Mr Nikolaichik said this on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the senior officials’ meeting of the Mid-Term  Review of the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between Zimbabwe and Belarus.

“We discussed the importance of exploring new spheres of cooperation in the energy sector,” he said.

Mr Nikolaichik said the senior officials’ meeting agreed on two documents covering political and economic relations that will be signed during the Ministerial meeting on Wednesday.

Calls to implement agreements

Zimbabwe and Belarus should implement their various agreements into actions that benefit their citizens, the Chief Director for Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr Pearson Chigiji has said.

Mr Chigiji said this at the closing ceremony of the senior officials’ meeting of the Mid-Term Review of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation on Tuesday.

“We must not only plan but also execute initiatives that yield measurable and lasting results.

“Let us transform our commitments into meaningful actions that create mutual benefits for our citizens, driving positive change and long-term development,” he said.

The inaugural JPCC between the two countries was held in Harare last year.

Belarus Deputy Prime Minister pays courtesy call on President Mnangagwa

President Mnangagwa welcomed the Belarusian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich during a courtesy call at State House in Harare this morning. — Pictures: Believe Nyakudjara