Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube
ZIMBABWE and Kenya will hold bilateral talks in Harare today and tomorrow under the Mid-Term Review of the 3rd Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Co-operation.
The two countries enjoy strong relations dating back to the struggle for independence against colonial rule and this week’s high-level engagement is expected to deepen bilateral ties and promote mutual co-operation, Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Mr Livit Mugejo said yesterday.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Trade wishes to advise that the Mid Term Review of the 3rd Session of the Joint Permanent Commission on Co-operation between the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Republic of Kenya will be held between 8 and 9 May 2023 in Harare,” he said in a statement.
The two nations are expected to review progress made so far in the implementation of agreed decisions in areas such as research, local governance, migration matters, trade and investment promotion, transport, and health sector cooperation, among others.
Mr Mugejo said Zimbabwe and Kenya last year signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding for co-operation on a number of economic clusters.
“Seven agreements/MoUs were signed during the 3rd session, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya in March 2022. The signing ceremony was witnessed by the two Presidents, Mnangagwa and Uhuru Kenyatta. These agreements covered political and diplomatic consultations, tourism and wildlife conservation, civil aircraft accident and serious incidents investigations, women empowerment and community development, youth affairs, cooperatives, sports, and recreation.
“The two countries enjoy long-standing fraternal relations preceding independence as Zimbabwe and Kenya solidarity collaborated towards the realisation of majority rule in their respective countries from the clutches of colonial rule,” said Mr Mugejo.
He said the existing strong bonds of solidarity relations between the two nations have grown tremendously.
Last year President Mnangagwa was among Heads of State that attended the inauguration of President William Ruto.
The two countries are expected to deepen their ties during the MTR of the 3rd Session of the JPCC as the two nations consolidate the gains of their relations.
Since coming into power, the Second Republic put engagement and re-engagement policies as part of its priorities with the mantra enemy of none and friends to all. The policy has paid divided as Zimbabwe continues to attract investors through its ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra.
Zimbabwe has a number of bilateral agreements with various countries in different areas of the economy. — @ncubeleon
Online Reporter