Belarusian Defence Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin and his Zimbabwean counterpart Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri have signed an agreement on military co-operation between the two countries. The ceremony took place following talks between the heads of the defence ministries, the Belarusian ministry’s press service reported.
The agreement provides for co-operation between the two countries in the fields of military education and personnel training. The sides also plan to implement several roadmaps for developing their partnership in the military sphere; however, no further details of future co-operation have been disclosed.
The ministers’ talks were held as part of a visit by a Belarusian delegation to Harare. During the meeting, Khrenin noted that the foundations of military co-operation between the countries had been laid back in 2023 at the ministers’ meeting in Minsk.
“In today’s conditions, we must be ready to respond to any challenges that pose a threat to the security of our countries. And in the military sphere, Belarus has much to offer Zimbabwe. We have reached an understanding on the priority of co-operation in the field of military education and personnel training, and on sharing experience in areas of mutual interest,” the Belarusian defence minister said.
Khrenin also stressed that the countries have “no closed topics for discussion” and expressed readiness to consider any initiatives and proposals from Zimbabwe regarding the further development of co-operation.
Muchinguri-Kashiri, for her part, stated that Harare seeks to ensure that its partnership with Belarus remains at a high level and described the military co-operation agreement as “an important milestone” in the history of bilateral relations.
“The agreement will enable us to develop military-technical co-operation and establish exchanges in the field of personnel training and medical support. The Republic of Zimbabwe intends to appoint a defence attaché to Belarus. This will allow us to efficiently organise the activities envisaged under the signed agreement,” the minister emphasised.
The Zimbabwean defence minister also expressed gratitude to Minsk for supplying agricultural machinery and supporting the development of the African country under sanctions.
In early September, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko discussed agricultural co-operation with Zimbabwean leader Emmerson Mnangagwa.
