Zimbabwe and Belarus have renewed calls to accelerate economic cooperation and fast-track the ratification of several bilateral agreements, following high-level talks between Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, and his Belarusian counterpart, Igor Sergeyenko, in Minsk yesterday.
Advocate Mudenda, who is also ZANU PF Secretary-General, is leading a Zimbabwean delegation to Belarus for parliamentary engagements and the Belarus Political Party Second International Conference on State Sovereignty and Principles of International Relations, which runs until Sunday.
During their meeting, the two Speakers signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement designed to boost parliamentary collaboration and reinforce the growing partnership between their nations.
According to a statement from the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Speaker Sergeyenko pledged his country’s commitment to intensifying trade relations and surpassing current low trade volumes.
“Belarus pledges to accelerate trade relations to reach the target agreed upon by the principals,” Sergeyenko said.
He also reaffirmed Belarus’ support for joint projects in agriculture, noting the sector’s transformation in Zimbabwe under existing cooperation programmes.
Sergeyenko further highlighted Belarus’ ongoing educational support, revealing that 150 Zimbabwean students are currently studying in Belarus, with plans to expand cooperation into industrial development and cultural exchange.
Advocate Mudenda expressed appreciation for Belarus’ role in strengthening Zimbabwe’s agricultural production and encouraged expansion into new areas.
“Zimbabwe urges Belarus to explore cooperation in tourism, tertiary institution exchanges with a STEM focus, innovation, technological advancement, and the positive harnessing of Artificial Intelligence,” he said.
The two Speakers noted that 36 agreements have already been signed across various economic sectors but require ratification to become legally binding. The Belarusian Parliament has so far ratified four.
Mudenda committed to engaging relevant Zimbabwean ministers to expedite the ratification process.
“Signed agreements should not remain ‘paper tigers’,” he emphasised.
He also announced that Zimbabwe will establish a Zimbabwe–Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Association to strengthen institutional ties.
On international affairs, both leaders affirmed their shared stance on multilateralism and sovereignty as outlined in Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, condemning external interference and illegal sanctions imposed on both countries.
Mudenda also thanked Belarus for supporting Zimbabwe’s bid for a 2027–2028 United Nations Security Council seat, noting the reciprocal nature of relations.
The statement further highlighted Belarus’ appreciation for the role of former Zimbabwean Sports Minister, Kirsty Coventry, whose leadership in the International Olympic Committee contributed to the lifting of sporting restrictions against Belarus.
