People back Zim, Iran to withstand sanctions

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

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Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is welcomed by his Iranian counterpart Dr Mohammad Reza Aref at his palace in Tehran before the two leaders and their delegations held bilateral talks aimed at deepening cooperation yesterday

Zvamaida Murwira in TEHRAN, Iran

ZIMBABWE and Iran have been backed by their own people to withstand Western sanctions and the two have vowed to consolidate their cooperation to overcome the embargoes.

This came up during a meeting held by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Iranian First Vice President, Dr Mohammad Reza Aref at the latter’s palace yesterday in Tehran.

VP Chiwenga is in Iran where he is leading a Zimbabwean delegation participating in the Iran-Africa Economic Conference meant to deepen cooperation between the Asian country and Africa.

Briefing Zimbabwean journalists soon after their meeting, the two leaders pledged to enhance their cooperation in various facets of the economy to establish a formidable force against the illegal sanctions imposed by the United States and Western countries.

VP Chiwenga said they will soon convene a Joint Permanent Commission between Zimbabwe and Iran to explore further areas of cooperation.

“You know, our relations with Iran, started many decades ago, many years ago. We have come to strengthen those relations. That is the first objective of our visit.

“Secondly, we were discussing issues raised by Iranian President (Mosoud Pezeshkian) when he opened the third edition of Iran-Africa conference where he focussed on cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Zimbabwe. You are aware we have got a Permanent Joint Commission where we discuss about cooperation in a number of areas,” said VP Chiwenga.

In response, Dr Aref said it was critical to note that both Zimbabwe and Iran waged a war to attain their independence and sanctions imposed on the two countries are part of battles that they have to endure and repel.

“For our country, we had a revolution in order to get our own freedom and independence.

“Also, you fought  against colonialism. So, for about decades, the two countries have been under siege. We are backed by our own people. Actually, it is the people of our country who are supporting us as their Governments in terms of fighting against those imperialistic and arrogant powers in order to prevent them from bullying other nations,” said Dr Aref.

“We have had good experiences in terms of how to circumvent the sanctions. So, during the past couple of decades, we have had achievements in various areas, including agriculture, industry, and technology.

“We are willing to share our experiences in these areas with your country. We have had good talks with Honourable Vice President (Dr Chiwenga.) We concluded that we have to somehow activate the Joint Permanent Commission, so that through that, we would be able to increase the level of our cooperation in other areas, just as we have the highest level of political relations. We have agreed to provide all our experiences and advancement to the friendly and brotherly country of   Zimbabwe.”

Earlier on, VP Chiwenga toured the Iranian exhibition centre, where he called for greater collaboration between Zimbabwe and Iran so that the two countries can benefit from their natural endowment particularly in the mining and other extractive industrial sectors.

He said this in an interview soon after touring Iran exhibition centre where Tehran is showcasing its export potential during the ongoing Iran Expo.

Vice President Chiwenga is accompanied by deputy ministers in the Ministries of Mines and Mining Development, Engineer Caleb Makwiranzou; Industry and Commerce Raj Modi, Lands, Agriculture, Water, and Rural Resettlement, David Marapira, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Simelisizwe Sibanda and Permanent Secretary of Health and Child Care, Dr Aspect Mawunganidze among other dignitaries.

In an interview soon after the tour, VP Chiwenga said he was excited with the quality of products he saw being exhibited, adding that what he saw gave impetus to greater collaboration between the two countries.

“I am actually happy that our private sector and our parastatals have also joined us. We have got the various ministries that have accompanied me.

“We have got Deputy Minister Makwiranzou who is in the Mines and Mining Development Ministry.

“And so far, what we have seen is impressive, we are trying now to bring in the synergies between our two countries, our two mining ministries, to see what is it that we would want from the Iranian companies, what they are producing, which areas can we bring to Zimbabwe, so that they can either establish or we can also buy certain things that would upgrade our mining industry,” said VP Chiwenga.

Some of the stands he visited deal with mining equipment, medical supplies, energy among others.