Zimbabwe and Serbia are set to strengthen bilateral cooperation through sport and cultural exchanges following high-level discussions between the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anselem Sanyatwe, and Serbia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Radisa Grujic.
The meeting focused on expediting the finalisation of an outstanding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Sport and exploring opportunities linked to Zimbabwe’s participation at Expo 2027 in Belgrade, Serbia.
Speaking after the engagement, Minister Sanyatwe said the discussions reflected the growing commitment by both countries to utilise sport and culture as vehicles for strengthening diplomatic relations and creating opportunities for citizens.
“I was delighted to receive His Excellency Radisa Grujic, Ambassador of Serbia to Zimbabwe, for a productive engagement on strengthening Zimbabwe-Serbia relations through sport and culture,” said Sanyatwe.
He said the two sides had agreed on the importance of accelerating efforts towards the conclusion of the sport cooperation agreement.
“Our discussions focused on expediting the finalisation of the outstanding Memorandum of Understanding on Sport. This agreement will provide a framework for enhanced collaboration, exchange programmes, capacity building and the sharing of expertise between our two countries,” he said.
The minister noted that sport has become an important tool for fostering international cooperation and creating opportunities for young people.
“We remain committed to leveraging sport diplomacy to deepen bilateral cooperation and unlock opportunities for athletes, administrators, coaches and sporting institutions. Sport has the power to unite people, strengthen friendships and contribute to national development,” said Sanyatwe.
The discussions also centred on Zimbabwe’s potential participation at Expo 2027 Belgrade, an international exhibition expected to attract countries from across the globe.
Sanyatwe said participation in the global event would provide Zimbabwe with a platform to showcase its cultural heritage, tourism attractions, creative industries and investment opportunities.
“We also explored opportunities around Zimbabwe’s participation at Expo 2027 Belgrade. Such international platforms are important for promoting our culture, strengthening people-to-people relations and enhancing economic and cultural cooperation between nations,” he said.
The minister added that cultural diplomacy remains a critical pillar in Zimbabwe’s engagement with international partners.
“Culture is a bridge that connects societies. Through cultural exchanges, we promote mutual understanding, celebrate diversity and strengthen the bonds of friendship that exist between our countries,” he said.
Zimbabwe and Serbia maintain cordial diplomatic relations and have continued to explore areas of cooperation in various sectors. Expo 2027, to be hosted in Belgrade, is expected to provide participating countries with an opportunity to showcase their achievements, cultural identity and economic potential to a global audience.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding on sport is expected to strengthen institutional cooperation and facilitate exchanges between sporting bodies in the two countries.
