I am happy our Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has fully transformed itself to execute intricate demands of transactional diplomacy. Increasingly and as a result, economic issues now loom large in their transactions. Our two-pronged policy thrust of engagement and re-engagement has given the ministry enough scope to interact gainfully both on new frontiers and on old turf. Even faraway countries like Jamaica and Latvia now seek closer ties with us, with almost all countries in the European Union favouring and pursuing friendly relations with us, unlike a few years back. We remain committed to the policy of being a friend to all and an enemy to none.
In the Middle East and in Persia, we continue to make remarkable inroads. Apart from our excellent relations with the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar, we shall soon be announcing new diplomatic initiatives in respect of Saudi Arabia. Before long, I shall pay a State visit to Iran, a Persian country with which we have long-standing diplomatic relations.
In both the United States of America and in the United Kingdom, re-engagement continues. Late last year, our Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade attended the USA-Africa Summit. This was the first-ever time such an invitation was extended to Zimbabwe. We hope the Administration there is beginning to see that relations between us must be re-based, putting behind us the unwarranted and undeserved punitive measures which do not serve our mutual interests. In early May, I shall be attending the coronation of King Charles III, again adding a positive chapter to our bilateral relations with the United Kingdom.
Sometime this year, we will go for our harmonised general elections. As I write, everything is being done to ensure everyone who wants to vote in the forthcoming elections is facilitated. Our elections will be free and fair, and will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Government will formally invite foreign observers once I have proclaimed dates for the harmonised elections. We view elections as yet another plank for anchoring and furthering our global diplomacy, as well as re-confirming our commitment to international tenets on democracy. We, however, will not entertain undue interference in our electoral processes which should remain sovereign.
We never tire of seeking global friendships and working for global peace through advocating a fair and just global order in which all states are equal, obey same rules, and in which any and all misunderstandings are resolved through peaceful means. Indeed, this is what the United Nations Charter bids all nations to do.
By President Emmerson MNangagwa for the Sunday Mail
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