Staff Reporter
Bilateral relations between Serbia and Zimbabwe are on an upward trajectory, with great potential for further engagement.
This was said by the ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Zimbabwe, Radisa Grujic during commemorations to mark Serbia’s Statehood Day.
“I am delighted to mention that the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia reopened in Harare in 2022 with the main goal being to improve and strengthen the overall relations. This year, as we are celebrating 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations, we are opening the new phase with a significant opportunity to strengthen this longstanding partnership by enhancing cooperation in various sectors – Political, Economic, Agriculture, Education, Culture and Sport, Information Technology, Science, Energy and Mining, Construction and Infrastructure, Health and Pharmaceutical, Social Development, Defence and Security.”
Ambassador Grujic said several MOUs that include Diplomatic Consultation, as well as Agriculture set for signing between the two countries are in their final stages.
Serbia is also looking at strengthening coordination in the education sector.
“The new phase of cooperation in this field with Zimbabwe started after the re-opening of the Embassy, and in less than two years we have already provided eight scholarships. It is nice to say that seven students from Zimbabwe now live and study in Serbia, and I hope that for the next academic year we will increase the number of scholarships for the Zimbabwean students,” said Ambassador Grujic.
In her keynote address, guest of honour during the commemorations, Honourable Sheila Chikomo, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade said Zimbabwe and Serbia enjoy a long and enduring friendship, forged in the crucible of history.
“Our ties date back to Zimbabwe’s Liberation Struggle, when Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia provided invaluable technical, material and moral support to our freedom fighters. This solidarity laid the foundation for our continued cooperation across various sectors.
“Even after Zimbabwe attained independence, Serbia remained a trusted partner, Several Yugoslav companies contributed to Zimbabwe’s development with Energoproject standing out as a shining example. Many of Harare’s iconic buildings including the Rainbow Towers Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel) stand as enduring symbols of Serbian architectural excellence in Zimbabwe,” said Hourable Chikomo.
She said beyond bilateral cooperation, Zimbabwe and Serbia have remained close allies in multilateral forums, working together in the United Nations, the G77 grouping and the Non-Aligned Movement to advance common interest and uphold the principles of fairness, sovereignty and mutual respect.
Statehood Day is a momentous occasion commemorating First Serbian Uprising in 1804 and the adoption of the First Serbian Constitution in 1835, which both happened on 15th February.
