ZIMSPHERE
MINSK, Belarus – Zimbabwe's First Lady, Auxillia Mnangagwa, met with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko in Minsk, leading a delegation of female business executives and a dance group to strengthen business synergies and cultural exchange.
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| Image: BelTa |
Lukashenko affirmed his commitment to the agreements between Belarus and Zimbabwe, welcoming Mnangagwa during the Slavianski Bazaar festival.
"I am very glad that you have come to us when we are celebrating Slavic culture [the international arts festival Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk] and have brought a small piece of Zimbabwean culture with you," Lukashenko said.
"You know very well our attitude to you, your country and your president. We are ready to offer all kinds of support and services during your stay in Belarus and later on."
He expressed readiness to support Mnangagwa’s delegation, emphasizing his longstanding friendship with Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
"We are looking forward to the visit of the president of Zimbabwe to Belarus. We will provide him with all possible assistance in his mission," Lukashenko remarked.
Lukashenko praised the women-led business delegation, noting their keen insight.
"It’s good that these are women. They have a sharper eye. They will take notice of all the best things that Belarus has, including the things that we are ready to jointly implement in Zimbabwe and elsewhere," he stated.
"Please convey to Emmerson [President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa], my old friend, our best wishes and tell him about our determination to implement our agreements…
"We really want to work in your country and do something useful for the people of Zimbabwe. You can count on us."
Auxillia Mnangagwa thanked the Belarusian head of state for the invitation to visit Belarus again and for the opportunity to come to Minsk with a big delegation.
"We are very happy to be here and we appreciate the warm welcome we have received in Belarus," she said.
The Zimbabwean delegation includes representatives of a women’s public association under the patronage of the first lady; members of this association represent companies working in various economic sectors, including mining, agriculture, banking, information and tourism.
The First Lady’s visit, according to ZimLive, involves travel on a Turkey-registered Gulfstream 550 private jet, costing approximately $11,000 per hour.
Diplomatic relations between Belarus and Zimbabwe were established on April 16, 1992.
Bilateral contacts have intensified since 2015, with numerous delegations visiting each other.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s first official visit to Belarus occurred in January 2019, which included multiple official events and the signing of several international treaties.
With additional reporting from BelTa.
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