Source: Zim strengthens ties with Serbia, Japan – herald
Columbus Mabika and Takudzwa Mangrozah
ZIMBABWE remains committed to working with progressive, friendly and like-minded nations in its quest for national development and modernisation, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.
She made the remarks on the sidelines of a courtesy call that was paid on her by Serbian Ambassador Radisa Grujic and Japanese diplomat Maekawa Nobutaka at her offices yesterday.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said Serbia had consistently supported Zimbabwe dating back to the liberation struggle, when it provided critical assistance to freedom fighters.
“This meeting is very, very important to us because we share a lot together, in particular the role that Serbia played during our own liberation struggle. They trained our officials,” she said.
“They gave us clothes, they also gave us food, they also gave us arms above all their development trajectory has been impressive.
“They are one of the nations we would like to copy and follow in our development path.”
Ambassador Nobutaka said Japan will continue to engage Zimbabwe in various areas of development, including education, trade and military cooperation.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri added that Zimbabwe and Serbia shared strong historical ties, describing the relationship as one of brotherhood.
Serbia, she said, was the first European country to open an embassy in the country post-independence.
“We are brothers. They were the very first ones to open an embassy in Zimbabwe after independence. And for quite a long time, they had an embassy,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said she will soon visit Serbia to formalise cooperation through a memorandum of understanding.
“We are discussing on how an MoU can be established at diplomatic level. This will open many other areas, sports, agriculture and other avenues,” she said.
Serbia is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the country’s demining operations, particularly in clearing the remaining 4 percent of mine-infested land.
Ambassador Grujic reaffirmed Serbia’s support for Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
“Serbia already officially supports Zimbabwe, and we are aware and we don’t have any doubt that Zimbabwe will continue to keep those principles of international law, UN Charter and multilateralism, and to firmly and strongly fight for peace and security in the world,” he said.
Ambassador Grujic said the support builds on growing cooperation between the two countries following the reopening of Serbia’s embassy in Harare nearly four years ago.
Turning to Japan, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said it has continued to support Zimbabwe’s development agenda, particularly in demining efforts.
She noted that Japan recently provided US$7,2 million towards the clearance of the remaining contaminated land.
Ambassador Nobutaka said Japan will continue to engage Zimbabwe in various areas of development, including education, trade and military cooperation.
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