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Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter

The establishment of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

This was said by the UAE’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Jassim Mohamed Mubarak Abdullah Al Qasemi at a reception to mark his country’s 48th anniversary since the nation’s founding.

“The relationship between the UAE and Zimbabwe shall strengthen as we shall work in different sectors,” he said.

“In March and November this year, His Excellency President Mnangagwa visited leaders of the Emirates to further develop this relationship.

“The UAE now has an embassy in Harare and Zimbabwe has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. This is an opportunity to develop the relationship between our two countries.”

Ambassador Al Qasemi said yesterday’s celebrations offered an opportunity to reflect his country’s development.

“This occasion marks a sincere reflection of the federation’s journey of 48 outstanding years of monumental events and achievements,” he said.

“The UAE has planned strategically through foresight to anticipate and analyse future opportunities and challenges in vital fields and execute long-term and pre-emptive plans to achieve our national goals using modern technologies and harnessing them to develop the country’s people and ensure their happiness.

“It has focused on development in all sectors, transforming plans into tangible realities through record achievements on both regional and international levels, setting the UAE amongst the world’s most advanced countries.”

Ambassador Al Qasemi said his country was a beacon of tolerance and peaceful co-existence among people of different religions, cultures and civilisations.

“The UAE has emerged as an inspiring model of tolerance, co-existence and human fraternity working over the years to lead international efforts towards closer relations between cultures, religions and civilisations, building bridges that contribute to the progress of nations and enhancing security and stability,” he said.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Dr David Musabayana said Zimbabwe was committed to strengthening the two countries’ bilateral relations.

“We appreciate the close relations that Zimbabwe shares with the UAE,” he said.

“We are committed to further strengthen and energise our already vibrant engagements through exploring economic and other opportunities that will be of mutual benefit to our two countries.

“Let me take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the assistance that we received from the UAE following Cyclone Idai which devastated the country’s eastern Province of Manicaland.

“We are also grateful for the donations made towards rehabilitation of Sally Mugabe Hospital (formerly Harare Central Hospital).

“In the second, we stand ready to invigorate bilateral relations with friends like the UAE, with a deliberate focus on economic cooperation. For us at this point, the resuscitation of the Zimbabwean economy is of paramount importance.

“It is, therefore, our hope that the growing ties between our two countries contribute towards that objective.”