Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe is committed towards deepening and strengthening existing bilateral ties with Russia.
Zimbabwe and Russia continue to enjoy bilateral relations and the attendance of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his delegation at the 80th anniversary further cements the relationship.
This Saturday, President Mnangagwa took the opportunity to further expand areas of cooperation with Russia through a bilateral engagement with the Russian Federation President, Vladimir Putin and his delegation at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
President Putin applauded the support Zimbabwe offers to his country on the international stage saying there is a need to go practical on the existing agreements.
“Russia and Zimbabwe have similar or coinciding positions on many of the international issues. We have been upholding a free and fair world order based on the supremacy of international law and we appreciate Mr President Zimbabwean’s support of Russian initiatives at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms, definitely, we are taking special importance to comprehensive improvement of relations with the African countries.
“In November 2024 the first conference of the Russia-Africa partnership forum was held at the level of the head of foreign ministers and we are getting ready to hold a second ministerial conference at the end of this year and we expect the head of your foreign ministry to attend. Mr President, we have now a good opportunity to look into practical steps of our bilateral interaction and its development,” President Putin sai.
President Mnangagwa thanked his Russian counterpart for the sacrifices made by the living and fallen heroes in pursuit of world peace hence an opportunity to deepen bilateral relations.
“Your Excellency, on behalf of the government, the people of Zimbabwe, and the Indian Army, we formally extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and the people of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. I also congratulate you, Your Excellency, and your brother, for the memorable commemorations and the military parade we witnessed yesterday.
“That victory 80 years ago will stand for generations to come as a powerful testament of courage, resilience, and sacrifice of the Russian people in securing peace, freedom, truth, and justice for the people of this great country. It was the defining triumph of the human spirit over tyranny and oppression.
“In the spirit of collective remembrance of the fallen, 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War, Zimbabwe further honours and salutes the immense sacrifices borne by the Russian Federation and its people in pursuit of freedom and world peace, which we all now enjoy. We value the opportunity to once again hold discussions to deepen and strengthen our existing bilateral cooperation,” President Mnangagwa said.
Zimbabwe and Russia continue to cooperate in various sectors of the economy with a scope to expand trade in agriculture, mining and manufacturing.
According to 2024 ZimTrade figures, Zimbabwe’s exports to Russia reached US$7.4 billion against US$9.5 billion highlighting a US$2.1 billion deficit which the government wants to narrow through increase exports.
As a way of narrowing the trade deficit, Zimbabwe has opportunities in high-demand sectors such as citrus fruits, berries, tea, edible legumes and oil seeds.
Zimbabwe has made huge strides in terms of the ease of doing business as a way of attracting global capital for national development.
