MINSK, 17 December (BelTA) - Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant-General Viktor Khrenin held a meeting with President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe, and summarized the results of his visit, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry.
Viktor Khrenin noted that Belarus is striving to develop bilateral cooperation with Zimbabwe in various fields, including the military one. “Belarus attaches great importance to the development of friendly relations with Zimbabwe. In recent years, bilateral political contacts have been raised to a new level, trade and economic interaction has significantly expanded, and a solid legal framework for cooperation has been established. We support each other in international organizations and in countering illegal sanctions pressure,” the minister said.
He emphasized that the main goal of the visit was to intensify military and military-technical bilateral cooperation between Belarus and Zimbabwe. “In modern conditions, we must be ready to respond to any challenges that pose a threat to the security of our countries. In military terms, Belarus has something to offer Zimbabwe. No topics are off-limits both at the level of heads of state and heads of ministries. I would like to share with you the good news that, just recently, sanctions on Belarusian potash have been lifted. This will allow us to resume and expand cooperation in this area,” Viktor Khrenin said addressing the president.
In conclusion of the meeting, Viktor Khrenin conveyed best wishes to Emmerson Mnangagwa from Aleksandr Lukashenko and quoted the head of state: “Without Africa, there can be no prospect for the world at all. Without it, there can be no planetary development. The future belongs to Africa.”
The president of Zimbabwe noted that his country considers Belarus a strategic partner and is ready to develop relations in various areas: “Your visit testifies to the strong interaction that has been built between Belarus and Zimbabwe. I am convinced that our cooperation will bring concrete benefits to both sides. Zimbabwe values Belarus and its support. I am aware that an agreement was signed between the defense ministries. This is an important tool for expanding and strengthening our defense cooperation. Zimbabwe counts on enhanced cooperation in agricultural mechanization. The progress we have achieved in our interaction indicates that we can achieve even greater success in developing relations,” he said.
Emmerson Mnangagwa thanked Belarus for its support of Zimbabwe in the international arena and conveyed warm greetings to Aleksandr Lukashenko: “Zimbabwe values Belarus as a partner on the path of strengthening independence and sovereignty, as well as in jointly confronting illegal sanctions pressure that contradicts international law. Convey the warmest wishes to your President Aleksandr Lukashenko. He is one of my friends in Europe. I trust him and rely on him.”
Summing up the results, Viktor Khrenin emphasized that during the visit, agreements were reached in promising areas. “We have many points of contact where we can develop together. And once again, we were convinced that we share the same way of thinking about the development prospects of our countries and, in general, about the foreign policy situation in the world,” he said.
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