Story by Oleen Ndori
THE Government says the country’s foreign policy aligned with the National Development Strategy One is meant to guarantee Zimbabwe’s sovereignty while pushing for the exchange of ideas, trade, and culture.
This was revealed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira when he presented a lecture at the Zimbabwe Staff College this Thursday.
Presenting the lecture, Professor Murwira said the country’s foreign policy is built on six major reference points that include the ‘Friend to All and Enemy to None, Leaving No One and No Place Behind as well as the Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra.
“We have codified our foreign relations and international cooperation doctrine that provides general guidelines for Zimbabwe’s Foreign Policy based on His Excellency, the President’s decisions on our international relations in compliance with the constitution of Zimbabwe, the doctrine is founded on parameters or points of reference that serve to guide foreign policy development and application.
“These are: (i) Zimbabwe is a friend to all and enemy to none; (ii) Leaving no one and no place behind; (iii) Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/iLizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo; (iv) Zimbabwe is open for business; (v) Chimurenga chepfungwa/Umvukela Wengqondo and (vi) Zimbabwe will forever be a sovereign and independent state,” Professor Murwira said.
He added that the government is pushing economic diplomacy to protect national interests.
“In addition we are enhancing our foreign policy elements to refocus our diplomatic resources to suit Zimbabwe’s ever-evolving interests. Economic diplomacy is one of the means through which we shall serve our interests. ZIMTRADE is our entity that facilitates our trade with the foreign environment.”
Under the National Development Strategy One, image building and economic diplomacy are key tools in increasing foreign direct investment and driving the nation towards an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
