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Herald Correspondent

TODAY Russia celebrates its National Day, which marks the anniversary of adopting the declaration of state sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) in 1990.

On June 12, 1990, when the Soviet Union was on the verge of disintegration, the RSFSR, the biggest Republic of the USSR, followed other Republics by declaring sovereignty and stating that its laws superseded the Soviet ones.

Russia Day is a key factor of shaping the national identity. 

President Vladimir Putin said, “We treasure the millennium-long history, great culture and tremendous achievements, the unique natural wealth, the beauty of the huge expanses, the diversity and original identity of Russia’s regions.

“We take pride in the labour and military achievements of the predecessors. We see Russia in its full might, remember its millennium-long history. One of the difficult periods was that of drastic changes taken place during the 1990s. We remember that well, as everything changed — our economic structure and public and human relations.

“These inevitable and overdue changes became, to a large extent, a challenge for people. It was hard for them to start everything from a scratch. They succeeded and in a short period of time created the legal and economic basis of modern Russia, provided endurance and stability for its sovereignty and democratic structure, preserved peace and accord between the peoples of the multi-ethnic country, and saved and enriched the abundance and variety of its great culture.

“This has always been our history. Our motherland was revived and became stronger due to the solidarity and dedicated labour of millions of people. And today, commitment to the traditions of unity, the high level of nationhood and patriotism is defining Russia’s strength and stamina.”

It is remarkable that just on the eve of Russia Day this year, the Sputnik V vaccine was delivered to Harare. The donation is arranged by Alrosa — the world’s major diamond producer and a key Russian investor in Zimbabwe. It is made in support of the humanitarian assistance provided by the Russian Federation to the Republic of Zimbabwe in order to fight COVID-19 pandemic.

During the official State House handover ceremony yesterday, President Mnangagwa congratulated President Vladimir Putin and the people of Russia with the National Day and expressed deep appreciation for the donation. It was emphasised that being aware of the heavy burden carried by the people and the Government of Zimbabwe due to the pandemic, Alrosa rendered critical and timely support to the ongoing vaccination campaign.

Alrosa’s activities in Zimbabwe represent a vivid example of the sustainable development of the bilateral cooperation in mining. The joint venture with the ZCDC carries out prospect and exploration works for primary diamond deposits. It is set to contribute significantly to achieving the goals of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1.

The act of goodwill and social responsibility corresponds to the Russian-Zimbabwean agreements at the highest level and the decisions of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. 

This is the evidence of Moscow’s commitment to expand mutual partnership based on the long-time and deep-rooted tradition of solidarity and brotherhood.

Russia-Zimbabwe friendship reflects the essence of the broader partnership focused on preparing the Second Russia-Africa Summit. The event envisaged for 2022 will enhance the interaction among government bodies and business circles on various treks. It will open new avenues for major Russian economic projects aimed at ensuring sustainable social and economic growth on the African continent.