Foreign ministers of Belarus, Zimbabwe discuss bilateral ties

January 30, BPN. Belarusian Foreign Minister Siarhiej Alejnik met with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Frederick Shava, to discuss closer political and economic ties, the foreign ministry’s press office reported.

The talks focused on industrial cooperation and joint projects.

They also talked about joint events involving their ministries, cooperation at international venues, and new bilateral agreements.

Shava confirmed Zimbabwe’s interest in Belarus’ supplying agricultural equipment to his country.

Alaksandr Łukašenka is in Zimbabwe on a two-day state visit from January 30 to February 1 and is scheduled to meet Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

The Zimbabwean foreign ministry called the visit historic because Łukašenka has never visited Southeast Africa during his rule. In 2015, then-Vice President Mnangagwa met with Łukašenka in Minsk. As head of state, he visited Belarus four years later. Belarus opened its embassy in Zimbabwe in July 2022.

Łukašenka’s visit coincides with the opening of the Belarus-Zimbabwe business forum in Harare. Belarusian ministers, university rectors, and business executives are expected to attend, including the CEOs of the Minsk Tractor Plant, the Minsk Automobile Plant, and the Minsk Motor Plant.

In 2021, trade between Belarus and Zimbabwe amounted to $25 million. Belarus exported agricultural machinery, equipment, and tools, and imported fruit and vegetables.