Belarus president’s visit cements ties with Zimbabwe

ZTN Correspondent

BELARUSIAN President Alexander Lukashenko arrived in the country yesterday for a historic three-day State visit where several deals in key sectors of agriculture, mining, infrastructural development, science and innovation are expected to be consummated.

President Lukashenko arrived at the Harare International Airport yesterday afternoon and was welcomed by President Mnangagwa, Cabinet ministers, diplomats and Zanu PF supporters.

The visit by President Lukashenko is a first of its kind to Sub-Saharan Africa and signifies Zimbabwe’s growing global influence and success of President Mnangagwa’s policy of “a friend to all and enemy to none” and also the Zimbabwe is Open for Business Mantra.

After the rousing welcome, the two Presidents left the airport in the same car, and later had a private dinner.

Today, the two leaders will hold discussion at State House and then another one thereafter with their delegations where several deals will be signed.

Yesterday, a business delegation from Belarus held talks with their Zimbabwean counterparts. The  talks will continue today.

Commenting on Twitter, President Mnangagwa described the visit as “historic”.

“Today Belarus President, Alexander Lukashenko, arrived in Zimbabwe for an historic three-day State visit, his first such visit to a sub-Saharan country. I look forward to exploring how our two great countries may work together and trade with each other in the future.”

After the departure of the two Presidents, the Dean of African Ambassadors to Zimbabwe, Mr James Musoni, who is also Rwanda’s Ambassador, said the visit is a game-changer for Zimbabwe.

“It’s a sign of good co-operation between Zimbabwe and Belarus, this takes relations to another level,” he said.

In 2019, President Mnangagwa, as part of his engagement and re-engagement agenda, visited Belarus where the two countries, signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Joint Permanent Commission, a framework under which commitments were made to strengthen co-operation in various sectors including agriculture, mining, infrastructural development, science and innovation.