Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government on Tuesday approved a draft doctrine that seeks to guide the country in foreign relations and international cooperation.
Being an extension of the domestic policy, Zimbabwe’s foreign policy aims to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protect its prestige and image, pursue policies that improve the standard of living of all Zimbabweans wherever they are as well as to create and maintain an international environment conducive for the attainment of these goals.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere told a media briefing that the Cabinet had considered and adopted the document after a presentation by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira.
He said the doctrine aims to guarantee the integrity, dignity and prosperity of Zimbabwe through upholding the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and mutual responsibility among all sovereign nations.
The doctrine is founded on parameters or points of reference that serve to guide foreign policy development and application, he explained.
These include that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and enemy to none; leaving no one and no place behind; Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo/ A country is built by its people; Zimbabwe is Open for Business; Chimurenga Chepfungwa/ Umvukela Wengqondo/ Liberation of the Mind; and Zimbabwe will forever be a Sovereign and Independent State.
“The doctrine shall guide the approach of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in its implementation of Zimbabwe’s foreign policy, whose ultimate goal is to have a society that is free, democratic, prosperous, with people leading happy and fulfilling lives,” said Dr Muswere.
Meanwhile Prof Murwira presented the same Cabinet meeting with a report on the joint summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Eastern African Community (EAC) Joint Summit on the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The summit, which called for a cessation of conflict to pay way for peace and development in Eastern DRC, was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday, and was attended by Heads of State and Government and representatives of SADC and EAC countries.
It was jointly chaired by President Mnangagwa, as the SADC chairperson and his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, who chairs the EAC. Measures to entrench peace will be implemented through a Ministerial Task Force from the two African sub-regions in unison.
The joint summit deliberated on the peace and security situation in the Eastern DRC following an escalation of conflict in that part of the country.
“The Joint Summit reaffirmed solidarity with the people of the DRC and committed to safeguarding the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the DRC as well as its sustainable peace, security and development,” said Dr Muswere.
New Ziana
