Ambassadors present credentials

Source: Ambassadors present credentials | The Herald

President Mnangagwa greets incoming Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Vijay Khanduja’s mother during presentation of credentials at state house in Harare yesterday. Picture: John Manzongo

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter

Three new ambassadors from India, Japan and Greece presented their credentials to President Mnangagwa at State House yesterday and pledged to boost ties between their countries and Zimbabwe.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr Sibusiso Moyo and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ambassador James Manzou, attended the event.

President Mnangagwa receives incoming Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Vijay Khanduja’s credentials while Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and permanent secretary Ambassador Manzou look on at state house in Harare yesterday. Picture: John Manzongo

First to present credentials was India’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Vijay Khanduja, who commended the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.

“It’s my pleasure to be accredited to a friendly and very important country, Zimbabwe. I look forward to working with the Government of Zimbabwe to take the relationship to new heights. We have good cooperation be it in political, trade, economic, health and development sectors and it would be my endeavour to make it broad-based,” he said.

President Mnangagwa receives a present from incoming Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Vijay Khanduja’s during presentation of credentials at state house in Harare yesterday. Picture: John Manzongo

Greek Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Loukas Karatsolis, echoed similar sentiments.

“It’s a privilege to serve in this country where there is a vibrant and dynamic Greek community. Everybody knows the Greeks that are here and everybody knows the Hellenic School, so I would want to work with the Greek community and being a part of Zimbabwe’s life the community can boost trade relations and strengthen also the cultural ties between our two countries,” he said.

President Mnangagwa receives incoming Greece Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Loukas Karatsolis and his wife at state house in Harare yesterday. Picture: John Manzongo

On the issue of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries, Ambassador Karatsolis said: “The President mentioned the sanctions regime but said this new era that starts with the stabilisation process, there is no real impediments to trade so we can expand our trade with European countries and my country will do the same.”

President Mnangagwa receives incoming Greece Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Loukas Karatsolis credentials while Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and permanent secretary Ambassador Manzou look on at state house in Harare yesterday. Picture: John Manzongo

Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Tanaka said the two countries shared historical ties.

“We have a long history between the Zimbabwean Government and Japanese government. It’s almost 40 years of relations and I believe we can further strengthen our relations in the coming years,” he said.

President Mnangagwa with incoming Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Satoshi Tanaka’s at state house in Harare yesterday. Picture: John Manzongo

He added that he had discussed with President Mnangagwa on the need to follow-up on agreements made between Zimbabwe and Japan during last year’s Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development held in Japan.

President Mnangagwa receives incoming Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Satoshi Tanaka’s credentials while Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo and permanent secretary Ambassador Manzou look on at state house in Harare yesterday. Picture: John Manzongo

President Mnangagwa and then Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, agreed to cooperate in various areas that include technology, energy and infrastructure development, among others.