Moscow engagements very satisfying: President

**Fungi Kwaramba in Moscow and Wallace Ruzvidzo in Harare **

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa touched down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last night from a successful trip to Moscow where he joined other African leaders at the Third Russia-Africa Summit.

He was welcomed by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Dr Kembo Mohadi, Cabinet Ministers, service chiefs and other senior Government officials.

Speaking to the media, the President said he was “very satisfied” with Zimbabwe’s participation in Moscow.

“Absolutely. I’m very satisfied,” he said.

The President said he had also held a tete-a-tete meeting with his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin at his request, with the two leaders discussing ways of deepening bilateral cooperation.

“Well, besides having a one-on-one with President Putin, we met him as world leaders together, collectively, and there were discussions on the issues that affect the world today.

“But, of course, he asked me to meet him one-on-one on the basis that we have our own independent relations between him and myself, and we shared our views about cooperation.

“And I’m so happy that our relations continue to deepen,” he said.

President Mnangagwa greets a Russian official before departing Moscow for Harare after successfully attending the Russia-Africa Summit, yesterday. – Picture: Presidential Photographer: Mike Muswere

President Mnangagwa said the Russian business community had also expressed interest in investing in Zimbabwe, with the expression of interest expected to culminate in business delegations visiting the country.

“They are very interested in coming to Zimbabwe.

They find that Zimbabwe is very cooperative and they want to do more business.

“And I told them that Zimbabwe is open for business.

“So we expect to have some business delegations coming to Zimbabwe,” he said.

At the Summit, the President called for deeper economic co-operation and the adoption of Russian artificial intelligence technologies at African universities.

In an interview after seeing off the President here yesterday, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira said the President’s trip was a huge success.

In his address to the plenary on Thursday, President Mnangagwa called on African countries to harness their fast-growing economies, abundant natural resources and young, entrepreneurial population alongside Russia’s development trajectory and advanced technology to accelerate industrialisation, skills development and sustainable economic growth.

He said the complementary strengths of Africa and Russia should be translated into practical co-operation that improves the daily lives of ordinary people.

On artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, the President said Russia’s advancements in the field should unlock practical collaboration through Africa’s universities, research institutions, technology companies and both public and private sector entities.

“The complementary strengths of our cooperation should scale up Africa’s industrialisation, technology sharing, innovative skills development, sustainable economic development and transformative impacts to the daily lives of our people,” he said.

The third Russia–Africa Summit, held under the motto, “For Peace, Security and Development,” drew 48 African countries, with about 20 represented by their Heads of State.

The agenda covered politics, defence, technology, trade and investment, technology transfer, food and energy security, health, education and youth exchange.

President Mnangagwa acknowledged Russia’s support and solidarity with Africa’s liberation struggle and the continent’s ongoing development journey, recalling that seven years ago leaders gathered in Sochi and later adopted an action plan for 2023–2026 in St Petersburg.

Prof Murwira said the visit, undertaken in President Mnangagwa’s capacity as President of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of COMESA, was aimed at strengthening working relations between Russia and Africa, and specifically between Russia and Zimbabwe.

“It is commendable that His Excellency the President, Dr Mnangagwa, undertook this visit to the Russian Federation in his capacity as President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and as Chairperson of COMESA,” Prof Murwira said.

“The whole idea is to strengthen the working relationship between the Russian Federation and Africa, and specifically between the Russian Federation and Zimbabwe.”

He said the President initially met with businesspeople before attending all plenary sessions and exhibitions of Russian technology and enterprises.

The tour was facilitated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“His Excellency was also able to deliver a statement on behalf of Zimbabwe, on how Zimbabwe is a friend to all and how Zimbabwe wishes to leverage its political relationship with the Russian Federation to enhance the economic relationship between our two nations,” Prof Murwira said.

“Most importantly, to ensure that the long-term friendship between Africa and the Russian Federation is translated into economic gains and improved livelihoods for the people of the Russian Federation and the people of Africa, particularly Zimbabwe.”

The Minister highlighted the President’s busy schedule, saying he attended meetings until midnight on Wednesday and late into the night on Thursday, demonstrating the importance he attaches to Zimbabwe’s economic and political diplomacy, as well as African diplomacy in his capacity as COMESA Chairperson.

“His Excellency has had a very busy schedule up to the time of his departure for Zimbabwe. He is now leaving for Zimbabwe, and he has had a very successful visit to the Russian Federation,” Prof Murwira said.

“We look forward to more, because as His Excellency always says, our aim is to first look at what we have agreed to do and assess the extent to which we have achieved our objectives, as well as the way forward regarding what still needs to be done.”

Prof Murwira added: “It is very clear what His Excellency Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa wanted to achieve, and it is very clear that all objectives were achieved.”

President Mnangagwa arrived back home last night.

Source: Moscow engagements very satisfying: President – herald

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