HARARE, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea have called for deeper economic and diplomatic cooperation through expanded trade and stronger collaboration on African-led solutions to development challenges, senior government officials said on Saturday.
The commitments were made during the ministerial session of the Inaugural Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation between Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea held in Zimbabwe's capital of Harare from Thursday to Saturday, ahead of a state visit to Zimbabwe by Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Zimbabwean Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amon Murwira highlighted the need to bolster economic cooperation by unlocking potential in trade, tourism, mining, and manufacturing.
"As governments, we must prioritize the immediate removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers. Let us make use of the opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area," Murwira said, urging the private sector to capitalize on investment opportunities across all sectors.
Murwira noted significant progress in educational cooperation, adding that there is scope to broaden collaboration to include the mutual recognition of qualifications. He also pointed to successful partnerships in wildlife management and called for further exchange of expertise in the sustainable management of natural resources.
The minister expressed gratitude to Equatorial Guinea for its support in calling for the removal of Western-imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe and for endorsing the country's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 period.
For his part, Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Diaspora Simeon Oyono Esono Angue said the two nations share a common vision based on promoting unity, regional stability, and "African solutions to African problems."
He emphasized the need to boost economic exchange in priority sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, transport, and security.
Angue added that both nations also share a responsibility to promote justice within the international system and ensure that Africa assumes its rightful place in global governance.
