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Herald Reporter

Visiting Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Riad Malki has expressed his country’s commitment to stand with Zimbabwe against sanctions imposed by the West and help to restore the country’s economic independence towards the attainment of the Second Republic’s vision.

Dr Malki, who is a special envoy of the President of Palestine His Excellency Mahmoud Abbas, was welcomed yesterday at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by acting Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira.

He is leading a delegation from the State of Palestine on a three-day visit that is expected to help strengthen the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.

Dr Malki said the relationship between Palestine and Zimbabwe was historic.

“We want to show our support and solidarity with Zimbabwe against all types of sanctions. We are here to see how we can work together because words of solidarity alone are not enough, but it should also be shown in terms of action and deeds. So it is very important that our presence here reflect our commitment towards our relationship with Zimbabwe,” he said.

“Zimbabwe has always stood by Palestine offering its support and solidarity so we want to also reciprocate in the same manner. 

“Our presence here is a reflection of that and from here we will send a very clear message to the world that we stand with Zimbabwe against sanctions and we want to see Zimbabwe always being free in terms of its relationship with the rest of the world, free in terms of benefiting from its natural resources, free in terms of its mobility, free in terms of its decisions and that is important.”

Dr Malki said Palestine was prepared to offer its knowledge, experience and know how to Zimbabweans in all fields.

He said besides political cooperation, there was room for the two countries to collaborate in other sectors.

“We met with President Mnangagwa back in Addis during the African Union Summit and we agreed on this visit we can answer questions on how we can offer our services,” he said.

Dr Malki is expected to meet with President Mnangagwa during his visit to relay a special message from President Abbas.

Cooperation between the State of Palestine and Zimbabwe is historical given the shared bonds of solidarity exemplified by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) towards Zimbabwe’s liberation movements during the days of the country’s struggle for independence.

Following the attainment of Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the PLO subsequently appointed a representative in Harare. Upon the Declaration of the State of Palestine in 1988, Zimbabwe became one of the first African states to extend full diplomatic recognition to the State of Palestine, again, a testament to the strong ties between the two states.

To date, the two countries enjoy cooperation in the fields of media, agriculture and other sectors. Zimbabwe and Palestine are also exploring mechanisms to cement ties further while leveraging on the excellent political and diplomatic relations.

Zimbabwe and Palestine enjoy warm bilateral relations backdating to the liberation struggle in the 1970s.