New standard in partnership

On May 14th, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko held talks with President of Zimbabwe Emerson Mnangagwa who arrived in Belarus on a working visit on May 11th

President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko and President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Emmerson
Mnangagwa               belta

In the frame of the visit, Emerson Mnangagwa visited Belovezhskaya Pushcha and the Brest Hero-Fortress Memorial Complex where he laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. Emerson Mnangagwa also visited the Savushkin Produkt enterprise and highly appreciated the milk processing technologies used in Belarus.
A number of bilateral events on the sidelines of the visit were also held at the departmental level, with the participation of enterprises, public organisations, and business circles.
The talks at the Palace of Independence were organised with the participation of members of the governments of the two countries. They primarily discussed the intensification of industrial co-operation and the establishment of joint ventures, the development of trade not only with Zimbabwe, but also with other countries in the region through its opportunities, the co-operation in healthcare and education, and the introduction of modern technologies. 
The President stated that much has been done since the historic talks between the two leaders in Harare in 2023. In particular, a joint commission has been set up, a direct dialogue has been established between relevant ministries and companies, and humanitarian and cultural contacts between Belarus and Zimbabwe are expanding. “Our bilateral co-operation is a new standard in working with African countries... 

Our countries are achieving tangible practical results together, and the joint agricultural mechanisation programme in Zimbabwe has become a true example of honest, open and productive co-operation,” he said.

Thanks to the joint programme, Zimbabwe’s wheat harvest has already more than tripled: since 2022, the country fully meets its domestic wheat needs, and exports of surplus products to neighbouring countries (Mozambique, Botswana) have begun. Aleksandr Lukashenko noted, “We continue to work with a focus on preserving such crops and further strengthening the food security of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa as a whole. Using this example of our joint work, other countries of the African continent see that there is a real alternative to the exploitation and dictate on the part of the West and multinational corporations.”
More than 60 students from Zimbabwe already study at Belarusian universities in agricultural, medical and technical fields, and the republic is ready to enrol even more.
Industrial co-operation has been intensified, and Aleksandr Lukashenko stated in that regard, “I am confident that the agreements signed in April this year on the establishment of a joint bus production in Zimbabwe will be implemented.”
The implementation of agreements on the mutual supply of food products (milk powder, juices, fruits), co-operation in the fields of healthcare and the supply of medicines, science and technology continues. 

“We are ready to scale the accumulated experience. Belarus can become Zimbabwe’s reliable partner in the introduction of modern waste recycling technologies, digitalisation, peaceful use of nuclear energy, and interaction in space exploration,” the Head of State said.

At the same time, according to the Belarusian leader, there are issues that prevent the parties from moving forward and achieving a stable mutual trade turnover (that is approaching $100m) by 2030. “We need to find the solutions. They exist, and that is why we are negotiating today,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
The Head of State assured the partners that Belarus always fulfils all its obligations.
Emmerson Mnangagwa warmly thanked the Belarusian leader for the invitation and for the hospitality extended to the delegation members. As the President of Zimbabwe noted, Belarus is a home far from their native home for them. “The progress and growth that we are witnessing in our bilateral relations bring us satisfaction. We have indeed achieved success, but nevertheless there is a need to use these successes in order to move on,” he added.
Emmerson Mnangagwa noted the enormous influence of Belarus on the mechanisation of agriculture in his country and ensuring food security, 

“This is really a huge step for us, and we are thankful to you and your Government for that. We are grateful for the approval of the third stage of this project. The transformation of our agriculture and the strategy we are applying in this area are a priority for us.”

Harare — the capital of Zimbabwe                 

During their stay in Belarus, the Zimbabwean delegation visited the Savushkin Produkt company in Brest and, according to Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe is ready to further consider the mechanisation and modernisation of its dairy industry with the support of Belarusian partners.
“Zimbabwe is striving to make progress in co-operation in the production of machinery, as we will benefit greatly from this. At the same time, the Belarusian economy will be able to benefit as well as it will be present in our region. I am sure that this visit will open up new roads and new opportunities for co-operation for us — not only in agriculture, but also in industry, education, technology and many other fields,” the distinguished guest said.
According to the President of Zimbabwe, Belarus is welcome in Africa.
“Zimbabwe’s unique position allows it to become a hub for selling Belarusian products across a wide region. This will facilitate closer economic liaisons with many countries in this part of Africa. Our partnership with Belarus will greatly contribute to the development of our industry and economy,” Emmerson Mnangagwa emphasised.
The President of Zimbabwe added that the parties continue to actively co-operate, realising that their interaction is mutually beneficial. Emmerson Mnangagwa thanked Aleksandr Lukashenko for his role and contribution to the development of bilateral relations.
Aleksandr Lukashenko proposed to boost liaisons between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Southern African Development Community (this year, Belarus and Zimbabwe are chairing these integration associations). 
The predisents agreed to create a commission at the level of heads of state. It will become a high-level strategic mechanism to co-ordinate the work of existing joint commissions and committees. A corresponding draft agreement will be prepared soon.

Belarusian leader saw off President of Zimbabwe at airport

At the airport, the presidents held a meeting: they summed up the results of Emmerson Mnangagwa’s working visit to Belarus.
During their friendly conversation, the heads of states also discussed the weather: May has been quite cool in Belarus this year. “You’ll have to acclimatise again when you’re back home. But it’s winter there, too,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.
Emerson Mnangagwa confirmed that it is indeed winter in Zimbabwe, and sometimes it is very cool by local standards. “But the weather in Belarus is very comfortable for us,” he assured.
“This suggests that you should visit Belarus more often,” the President of Belarus said in response.
The two leaders bid each other a warm farewell. Emerson Mnangagwa thanked for the excellent organisation of the visit and invited Aleksandr Lukashenko to pay a return visit to Zimbabwe in the near future. “Thank you very much! I will take away the best memories,” the President of Zimbabwe said at parting. 

A package of bilateral documents was signed based on the roadmap for 2026–2030 — the latter takes into account all key joint projects in various fields

The two governments have signed an agreement on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
Among other documents signed are an agreement between relevant ministries on co-operation in the field of prevention and elimination of natural disasters and man-made accidents, memoranda on co-operation in the field of tourism, information and the print media, on intentions to strengthen partnership in healthcare and the reconstruction of a hospital in Harare, on promoting the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, on strengthening partnership in the field of waste management and water purification.

CURRENT AGENDA

Press Secretary of the President of Belarus Natalya Eismont has commented to TASS on the results of the talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, BelTA reports

— Negotiations between the delegations of the Russian Federation and Ukraine ended in Istanbul, and the parties, in particular, agreed on the exchange of prisoners of war under the 1,000 per 1,000 formula. How can Minsk comment on the results of the meeting?
— Firstly, we did not expect any other results. The negotiations, their first round, fortunately took place and had at least some result. Secondly, assessing the outcome of this round of the negotiations, we share the view of Americans: though tactical, but this is definitely a success of the Russian leadership.

— Is Belarus ready to host a new round of negotiations if Russia and Ukraine agree on that?
— As for the possible organisation of the next rounds of negotiations, I would like to emphasise the key point: Belarus has never asked for the role of mediator — neither in the past nor at present. This is our principled position.
However, if it is necessary for the sake of peace in the neighbouring country, in our brotherly Ukraine, and all parties agree with this, then we will organise the process in a way that no other country could do — primarily, because it directly concerns the future of Belarus as well.

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by