Zim, Algeria sign co-operation accords

Zimbabwe and Algeria yesterday signed agreements to co-operate in the fields of energy, science and technology, diplomacy and sports.

• The two countries’ private sectors will also collaborate through the chambers of commerce.

  Under the energy Memorandum of Understanding, National Oil Company of Zimbabwe officials will soon visit Algeria to conclude a deal for the supply of petroleum and natural gas products.

  The agreements were signed at the end of the third session of the Zimbabwe-Algeria Joint Permanent Commission in Harare yesterday.

  Zimbabwean Ministers Simbarashe Mumbengegwi (Foreign Affairs), Stan Mudenge (Higher and Tertiary Education) and David Coltart (Education, Sport, Arts and Culture) signed the MoUs on diplomatic consultation and co-operation, science and technical co-operation, and sport between the chambers of commerce of the two countries.

  Visiting Algerian Minister of Maghreb, African Affairs and International Co-operation Aldelkader Messahel signed on behalf of the North African country.

  The two countries also agreed on a roadmap that would see officials pursuing other areas of co-operation that remain outstanding.

  These include an agreement on information, media and publicity that is expected to be signed before the end of the year.

  Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Mumbengegwi said the signing of the agreements had given fresh impetus to the two countries’ efforts to enhance economic co-operation.

  “There are, however, some agreements that we were not able to finalise at this session.

  “But I am confident that these will be finalised before the fourth session of the Joint Commission. Our officials will ensure that these are finalised without delay,” he said.

  Minister Mumbengegwi said the biggest challenge was to translate the agreements into action.

  “In this regard, it would be desirable for our respective embassies to play an active role in ensuring that the decisions of this Joint Commission are implemented.

  “The line ministries and departments in both countries should also keep their lines of communication open and have regular consultations with their counterparts in order to resolve any bottlenecks that may hinder the smooth implementation of agreed projects and programmes,” he said.

  He added that the two countries’ respective Foreign Affairs ministers would monitor the implementation of the decisions. Minister Messahel also emphasised the need for the two countries to finalise agreements before the next session.

  He said: “It is very important to make a follow-up on the agreements as we have decided to be very pragmatic and concrete in our decisions.”

  In a communiqué issued at the end of the Joint Commission meeting, ministers Mumbengegwi and Messahel expressed satisfaction with the levels of engagement between the two countries.

  The ministers agreed to explore new areas of co-operation in the fields of trade, higher education, finance, agriculture, energy, mining, health and training.

  The two governments also noted progress in negotiation on agreements on trade, agriculture, mining and energy, bilateral promotion and protection of investments, avoidance of double taxation and the agreement between New Ziana and the Algeria Press Service.

  These agreements will be finalised during the next session of the Joint Commission.

  Zimbabwe and Algeria agreed to facilitate arrangements for companies from the two countries to enter into agreements to supply various products on a mutually beneficial commercial basis.

  Minister Messahel earlier in the day met Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who hailed the resuscitation of bilateral co-operation between Zimbabwe and Algeria.

  “Algeria is a country endowed with vast resources and Zimbabwe will benefit from co-operation between the two countries,” he said.