Фото: Минобороны
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Khrenin is visiting Zimbabwe, where he held talks with Zimbabwe’s Minister of Defense Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri. Khrenin said he intends to intensify military cooperation between the two countries.
“Our working meeting in blooming springtime Minsk in May 2023 laid the foundations for bilateral military cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Zimbabwe. Today, in sunny Harare, we are taking another important step along this path.
The main purpose of my visit is to intensify bilateral military and military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Zimbabwe.
In today’s conditions, we must be ready to respond to any challenges that pose threats to the security of our countries. And in military terms, Belarus has something to offer Zimbabwe,” Khrenin was quoted as saying by the Defense Ministry press service.
According to him, Belarus and Zimbabwe are “rare islands of stability in a sea of conflicts and contradictions, terrorism and transnational crime.” He said the Belarusian Armed Forces possess extensive experience that they are ready to share with Zimbabwe.
“An analysis of previously reached agreements shows that the foundation of our practical interaction may be cooperation in the field of military education. You, Madam Minister, had the opportunity to personally familiarize yourself with the flagship of Belarusian military education — the Military Academy of the Republic of Belarus.
At the same time, this is only part of an extensive system that fully meets the needs of the Armed Forces for qualified personnel,” Khrenin said.
He stressed that the two sides have significant potential for cooperation.
“We have reached an understanding on the priority of cooperation in the field of military education and personnel training, as well as the exchange of experience in areas of mutual interest.
The main thing is that we have no closed topics for discussion. Be assured that any initiatives or wishes expressed by the Zimbabwean side will be duly and promptly considered,” he said.
For her part, Muchinguri-Kashiri noted that defense cooperation between the two countries has intensified.
“With regard to the implementation of projects aimed at ensuring security, our defense cooperation has made significant progress.
Today is another important moment, as we will sign a military cooperation agreement.
This will allow us to develop both military-technical cooperation and establish exchanges in the field of personnel training and medical support.
In Zimbabwe, we strive to ensure that our cooperation with Belarus remains consistently at a high level.
The Republic of Zimbabwe intends to send a military attaché to Belarus. This will allow us to promptly organize activities defined within the framework of the signed agreement.
Under sanctions, we have managed to consolidate friends around us. We are grateful to you for the supply of agricultural machinery, thanks to which we have not only improved our agriculture but are also able to ensure exports of agricultural products to neighboring countries.
While Zimbabwe and Belarus face illegal sanctions imposed by Western countries, we will not allow this to stand in the way of scientific and technological progress and hinder the development of independent sectors of the economy. Under such conditions, bilateral cooperation can be built on the principles of mutual exchange,” she said.