Zim, Palestine sign 4 MoUs Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Professor Amon Murwira (right) and Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Riad Malk exchange documents after signing MOUs in the field of higher education and scientific research at Munhumutapa offices in Harare yesterday. - Pictures: Joseph Manditswara

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

Zimbabwe and Palestine yesterday signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning various areas that include diplomatic and political consultation, agriculture and veterinary services and education at the end of a three-day visit by Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Riad Malik.

The MoUs were signed by Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Professor Amon Murwira on behalf of the Zimbabwean Government and Dr Malki who is a special envoy of Palestine President, Mahmoud Abbas.

The MoUs are on diplomatic and political consultations, cooperation in the field of agriculture and veterinary services, establishing and operating programmes of cooperation on development and cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research.

In his remarks, Dr Malki said it was important that the two countries ensure the implementation of the agreements.

“We should work together and ensure that signing these MoUs we are serious about developing our bilateral relationship.

“We have to ensure that these MoUs are implemented.

“We have to make sure that our people benefit, both in Zimbabwe and Palestine. We want to make sure our leaders are happy with what we would have done to make our relationship stronger and so steadfast,” Dr Malki said.

Prof Murwira said Zimbabwe was ready to cooperate with Palestine.

“The desire by the Palestine Authority to cooperate in the areas of agriculture, justice, media and education are welcome,” he said.

Prof Murwira reiterated Zimbabwe’s support towards the Palestinian cause for self-determination.

“I also wish to assure you of Zimbabwe’s unqualified support for the cause of Palestine at all regional and international fora, especially in view of recent developments in the occupied territories, notably, the expansion of the illegal settlements and violence against ordinary citizens.

“Zimbabwe is also concerned at the recent decision by the State of Israel to impose a series of sanctions against the Palestinian Authority in response to its successful initiative at the United Nations to have the International Court of Justice draft a legal opinion regarding Israel’s conduct in the Palestinian territories.

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Riad Malki pays a courtesy call on Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa at her Munhumutapa Office in Harare yesterday

“These unilateral measures are very unhelpful to the quest for peace between the two sides,” he said.

Earlier Dr Malki met with Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa and said they had a fruitful discussion and urged Zimbabweans to safeguard their independence.

“We had a fruitful brotherly and sisterly discussion where we are and where we want to go and also how we can collaborate and work together because there is ample space for us to work together,” he said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Zimbabwe valued the support Palestine rendered during the country’s liberation struggle.

“I am a war veteran and was in the struggle and know how the Palestine Liberation Organisation was always on our side and we respect that and we will always call to the world that Palestinians be given their rights, they are also human beings and their country and people deserve peace,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa added that there was need to operationalise the MoU on media between the two countries.

“We are looking at training of journalists, sharing of information and benchmarking,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said it was important for Zimbabweans to understand that Palestinians were still going through the struggle for independence similar to what the country went through.

“To bring the people of Zimbabwe and Palestine together it is the media who should do that and we will be working together to ensure that the people to people relations grow,” Minister Mutsvangwa added.

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