Lukashenko's visit to Zimbabwe creates buzz, interest among leaders of Southern African countries

MINSK, 5 February (BelTA) - Many leaders of Southern Africa countries called President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe after his talks with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, press secretary of the Belarusian head of state Natalya Eismont told the media referring to the Zimbabwean leader himself, BelTA has learned.

"I'll share with you one piece of inside information that journalists love the most. Just on the third day of the visit, the president of Zimbabwe told the Belarusian head of state that he received calls from a dozen of heads of state - leaders of the countries of Southern Africa just at the end of the main negotiating day. They keep in very close in contact with each other. They all had one question: how did Zimbabwe manage to bring Lukashenko and carry out such a fundamental and eventful visit. They all expressed willingness to establish close cooperation with the Belarusian head of state, with our country,” the press secretary said.

She stressed that Belarus has a lot to offer these countries. “There are also things that we are interested in in Southern Africa. I can give you an example: when speaking to journalists at a press conference, our president mentioned Mozambique. This is the country we are already entering, including with the help of Zimbabwe. This is something that is already in happening. Food security issues are also very important there. We can participate in that country's projects. It is already a very concrete discussion. Our focus is on cooperation with the entire Southern Africa,” Natalya Eismont said.

“I would like to emphasize a very important point once again: the future belongs to Africa. We will all see soon that this is true,” the press secretary of the Belarusian head of state said.