By Agencies/Staff Reporter
President Mnangagwa Thursday night hosted a State Banquet for visiting Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and his wife, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang, at State House in Harare.
President Mbasogo and the First Lady arrived in Zimbabwe yesterday for a two-day State visit aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.
Speaking at the State Banquet, President Mnangagwa said President Mbasogo’s visit reaffirmed Equatorial Guinea’s commitment to consolidating the excellent relations enjoyed between Harare and Ciudad de la Paz, Equatorial Guinea’s new capital city, as decreed by the President in January this year.
“This visit is a celebration of our rich past, brotherly partnership and the enduring bond of friendship between our countries,” said President Mnangagwa.
“It also affords us an opportunity to chart a bold and transformative future for our mutual benefit.
“Zimbabwe is forever indebted to Equatorial Guinea, for the principled and courageous solidarity along with the economic and material support, availed to us during our times of great need, following the imposition of sanctions by some Western countries.
“We shall never forget and will jealously guard our unity, and solidarity.”
President Mnangagwa noted that high-level exchanges between Harare and Ciudad de la Paz have increased in recent years as the two countries seek to deepen bilateral cooperation.
He recalled that his State Visit to Malabo in 2023 culminated in the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering investment, transport, agriculture, mining, fisheries, culture and tourism.
“I recall, during that visit, we reaffirmed the need to initiate our bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation.
“It is commendable that this has been realised with the convening of the first ever meeting of the Zimbabwe-Equatorial Guinea Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation, in May, ahead of this historic State Visit.
“I am confident that the outcome of these meetings will see the accelerated implementation of the various priority areas of our Agreements,” said the President.
President Mbasogo said the visit should result in concrete commitments and effective follow-up mechanisms.
The people of both countries, he said, expected tangible results, employment opportunities and development.
“They are expecting us to turn our words into reality. And I am convinced that together we can all achieve this. ”
“Therefore, this visit must mark a turning point. The relationship between Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe must identify opportunities and accelerate the implementation of these joint initiatives,” said President Mbasogo.
