On May 12th, the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is paying a working visit to the Brest Region. This is the first time that the leader of an African state has visited this south-western region of Belarus.
The distinguished guest was welcomed at Brest airport by Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee Piotr Parkhomchik, President’s Aide – Inspector for the Brest Region Valery Vakulchik, as well as Chairman of the Brest City Executive Committee Sergei Lobodinsky. Accompanied by these officials, Emmerson Mnangagwa visited Savushkin Product, a leading Belarusian milk processor, to familiarise himself with its work. As a sign of respect and friendship, the Zimbabwean President signed the company’s guest book, praising its technological level, “I am very impressed with the company and the advanced technology used by the Belarusians. Our Agriculture Minister has already visited this enterprise, and I am confident that we will be able to implement certain technologies here in Zimbabwe.”
Afterwards, Emmerson Mnangagwa, accompanied by Piotr Parkhomchik, learnt about the history of the Brest Hero Fortress and took part in the ceremony of laying flowers at the Eternal Flame.
Sharing his opinion on visiting the Brest Fortress, Emmerson Mnangagwa said that it had made a great impression on him, “This is a historical place that I have read about in books, and I am honoured to be here. This fortress is a testament to your historical heritage and the bravery of the Belarusian people.”
The President of Zimbabwe also stressed that his country is interested in deepening co-operation with Belarus, “Zimbabwe is a developing country. Of course, we highly appreciate when developed countries extend a hand of friendship and help to us, and we try to liaise with them as much as possible. Moreover, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko and I are close friends. That’s why I’m here today. In general, Belarus is a very beautiful country and many would like to visit it. I am no exception.”
The programme of the visit also included a trip to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha, where the joint projects and roadmap for co-operation between Zimbabwe and the Brest Region were to be discussed.
According to Valery Vakulchik, the President’s Aide – Inspector for the Brest Region, the Brest Region is interested in developing co-operation with this African country, and the visit of Zimbabwe’s President creates good prerequisites for this.
“Such a visit is not just a diplomatic gesture; it is a clear signal of our intention to form equal and practical partnerships. Belarus, and the Brest Region in particular, are ready to share their experience of industry, agriculture and technology openly and honestly. We demonstrate how to work effectively for export, maintain growth rates, and build stable ties with foreign partners simultaneously,” Mr. Vakulchik emphasised.
