‎‎Harare, (New Ziana) – Senior government officials from Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea on Friday re-committed their countries to strengthening bilateral c-operation at the conclusion of the inaugural meeting of the Senior Officials’ Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation (JPCC) in Harare.
‎Speaking at the close of the two-day meeting, Ministry of Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Albert Chimbindi, who co-chaired the JPCC, praised the cordial atmosphere that characterised the deliberations, saying the engagements reflected the “excellent bilateral relations” existing between the two nations.
‎He expressed confidence that the discussions had strengthened cooperation “in a decisive way” and commended the Equatorial Guinea Co-Chair for providing “invaluable and meticulous” leadership throughout the session.
‎”As Co-Chairs, from the onset, we set our objectives as guided by our shared national interests, to come up with clear, deliverable, and structured checkpoints for considerations by our Principals. I am glad that the set goals have been achieved, with some MoUs expected to be signed during this Inaugural Session of the JPCC,” said Chimbindi.
‎‎Chimbindi stressed that the purpose of the JPCC framework was not only to assess the state of bilateral relations, but also to identify areas requiring corrective action while creating opportunities for deeper cooperation.
‎”As we hand over our composite Report to the Ministerial Session, let us remember that the whole purpose of having these sessions of our JPCC is to evaluate the status of our bilateral relations, taking corrective measures where we are slackening, as well as forging pathways for further expansion and deepening of these relations, for the mutual benefit of our two nations.
‎I wish to remind us all that we owe it to our citizens who look up to us to deliver economic development and prosperity,” said Chimbindi.
‎He expressed confidence that the report prepared by the senior officials accurately captures the shared vision of Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea for “a more integrated and prosperous future”.
‎Speaking at the same event, Equatorial Guinea secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Corporation and Diaspora, Matias Nguema Mba Medja said the meeting had achieved its core objective of transforming the vision of the two countries’ leaders into practical cooperation that benefits their citizens.
‎”As I mentioned during the opening ceremony, we did not come merely to fulfil a protocol requirement. We came to Harare with the clear mission entrusted to us by our Heads of State, their Excellencies Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Emmerson Mnangagwa, to materialise a strong, practical South-South cooperation that is, above all, beneficial to our peoples,” he said.
‎Medja praised the work of the technical teams from both countries, saying they had demonstrated dedication, transparency and a spirit of brotherhood throughout the negotiations.
‎”As a result, we have established solid foundations in strategic areas of common interest, particularly in the political and diplomatic, economic and social spheres,” he said. “We are transforming the political vision of our Heads of State into concrete actions aimed at the development and well-being of our peoples.”
New Ziana
