Russia , Zimbabwe set to deepen relations
Hosia Mviringi
The cooperation between Zimbabwe and
Russia is poised for a significant facelift following commitments made by representatives of the two sister nations at an Inter-Governmental Commission (ICG) meeting held in Harare yesterday.
The two countries’ delegations, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable Frederick Shava (Zimbabwe) and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Honourable Alexander Kozlov (Russia) met in Harare from May 30 to June 1, 2022 for routine (ICG) consultations where a number of Memoranda of Understanding were signed in different sectors.
In a communique released at the end of the meetings last night, the co-chairs expressed satisfaction with the historical and fraternal relations existing between the two countries and expressed optimism that all outstanding legal instruments to operationalise other agreements will be expedited.
“The Intergovernmental Commission reviewed the state of Bilateral Relations between the two countries and received updates on areas of cooperation since the Third Session. The Parties expressed satisfaction with the excellent co-operation in sectors that include Economic, Trade and Industrial; Geology and Mineral Resource Management, Science, Education, Sport, Arts and Youths, Health, Agriculture, Tourism and the Environment, Local Government, National Housing and Social Amenities, and Communications, Mass Media and Technology. The Parties directed respective Ministries and agencies to continue the collaboration through the identification of new Areas of Co-operation,” said the Commission.
The IGC was preceded by the meeting of senior officials from both Governments.
Speaking after the IGC meetings, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Frederick Shava expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the Commission meetings.
“We have had productive engagements over the past three days which we are hopeful will improve our economic fortunes”, said Minister Shava.
Russian Federation Head of Delegation and Co-Chair to the IGC, Honourable Alexander Kozlov was unambiguous and resolute about his country’s mission in Zimbabwe which is to intensify investment in Agriculture, Mining, Industrial development and to deepen trade relations.
“Our main goal is to increase trade in all the country’s productive sectors including supplying fertilizers that are critically needed here in the agricultural sector,” he said.
The two countries’ business delegations met on the side-lines of the Zimbabwe-Russian Intergovernmental Commission in line with the Parties’ reaffirmation to promote and intensify business interactions.
Russia is a manufacturing powerhouse in areas of agro-inputs such as fertilisers, petrochemical and implements. The country is Europe’s biggest producer of heating gas and petroleum products. The European country is a giant in the energy sector with advanced clean power creation technologies.
Russia is also the world’s biggest grain producer with 24 per cent of global wheat supplies coming from the country. This makes the country a very important trading and business partner for any country.
Russia is currently engaged in a special operation in the Eastern regions of Ukraine meant to protect ethnic Russian speaking people in the Donbas regions of Luhansk and Donensk.
The next and fifth IGC meetings will be held in Russian Federation in 2024 on a date yet to be agreed and Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Honourable Frederick Shava has been warmly invited.
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