President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera says the visit by Zimbabwe president Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa in Malawi is a clear testimony that the two countries are committed to promote warm relations in political, economic and social development.
The President said this at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre on Friday during a media briefing, the two heads of state held to inform the public about several agreements the countries agreed within the three day -state visit.
The Zimbabwe president was in the country from 31st May to 2nd June 2022 where the two leaders discussed several matters ranging from trade, relations, gender, political, climate change, food security, peace promotion, energy, information among other important areas.
The Malawi leader said Malawi and Zimbabwe have agreed to work together in many areas that will improve trade and relationship and later achieve resilience and self-reliance in their operations.
“I would like thank President Mnangagwa for a historic visit to Malawi. In a short period of three days, he has managed to visit four districts in our three regions countrywide. The effort cannot go unnoticed and it is important for young ones to draw inspiration for the hard work.
“He visited Parliament building in Lilongwe to appreciate the functions of what has become the cradle of our democracy and constitutionalism. Thereafter, he laid a wreath at Kamuzu Mausoleum in paying homage to founding father Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda who during his rule inspired Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence. The president also visited Lilongwe Tobacco Floors in Kanengo where he appreciated the posture of an industry that is prime to our forex inflows,” said Chakwera.
The president has also commended President Mnangagwa for visiting Soche where Cyclone Freddy destroyed both lives and property in large number.
He added,” Zimbabwe has always been supportive to Malawi from way back and during Cyclone Freddy they did the same. This is indeed a friend in need. There are a lot of agreements between Malawi and Zimbabwe. There are some that keep coming.
In his remarks, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe and Malawi were bound together by common history and culture hence such things are emerging all the time to nurture ties between the two countries so that relationship can grow from strength to strength.
“We have Malawians who have chosen to make Zimbabwe their home as well as Zimbabweans who have done the same in Malawi. A lot of our people have also intermarried, thereby strengthening the bonds that bind us.
“There are mutual opportunities that exists between the two countries in areas such as trade, agriculture, education and tourism among others. Let us all work hard since nobody can develop our countries apart from us owners,” he said adding such philosophy need to be embraced by young ones.
Dr Mnangagwa said it is important for Malawi and Zimbabwe to always share success and challenges for the two countries to cooperate on how to work together for the betterment of the countries in spearheading economic and social development.
He added,” from our discussion it is clear that the full potential of our bilateral ties lies in how we harness new opportunities for collaboration in the attainment of sustainable development.
“The focused interaction at state level will create new opportunities for collaboration in attaining inclusive wealth and job creation for our people through trade and investment.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe president who finished his engagements by visiting tea Estates in Thyolo has sent invitation to President Chakwera for a visit to his country at a later date.
