By George Swarei
Harare, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) on Thursday embarked on a new era of collaboration as the inaugural session of the Zimbabwe-EU Partnership Dialogue convened in Harare.
The platform, inspired by the Samoa Agreement that succeeded the Cotonou Agreement, aims to foster sustainable development and mutual understanding between Zimbabwe and the EU bloc.
Addressing the gathering at the opening of the meeting, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Albert Chimbindi spoke highly on the Dialogue’s foundational principles of mutual respect, shared values, and equality which he believed would guide the negotiating parties going forward.
“The idea of a partnership dialogue denotes common interests and equality, principles that should underpin our engagement as we strive to make the world a better place,” he said.
The dialogue is Zimbabwe’s commitment to maintaining cordial relations with all nations, falling under the Engagement and Reengagement policy. Ambassador Chimbindi reaffirmed the country’s diplomatic position anchored on the philosophy, “Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none,” which is in line with the open for business policy. The country is currently working towards achieving Vision 2030 – the Government’s goal of achieving an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by the year 2030.
Highlighting existing economic ties, he commended the positive trade balance Zimbabwe has achieved under the EU-ESA Free Trade Agreement, which also includes Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Zimbabwe, he noted, brings valuable contributions to this partnership, particularly in sectors prioritized under the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative, such as gender equality, climate-smart agriculture, and green economic growth.
Ambassador Chimbindi also expressed gratitude for the EU’s role in Zimbabwe’s debt clearance and arrears resolution efforts, noting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s recent reaffirmation of Zimbabwe’s commitment to reforms during a conference on November 25, 2024.
“Zimbabwe engages the world as an equal partner,” he emphasized, while advocating for a reset of the Zimbabwe-EU agenda to align with the nation’s reform trajectory.
Acknowledging differences between Zimbabwe and its partners, Ambassador Chimbindi struck a conciliatory tone: “We may not always agree on everything, but what is important is to build on areas of convergence and manage our differences.”
The Dialogue, co-chaired by Ambassador Jobst Von Kirchmann, Head of the European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe, is expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation and tangible benefits for the people of Zimbabwe.
As deliberations continue, the Government of Zimbabwe looks forward to strengthening its partnership with the EU, guided by mutual respect and a shared vision for progress.
