Malawi, Zimbabwe Ministers Express Satisfaction with JPCC Meeting
Malawi and Zimbabwe's Foreign Affairs Ministers expressed satisfaction with the 11th JPCC meeting in Lilongwe, Malawi, writes Memory Phoso.
Lilongwe, Malawi-The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Malawi and Zimbabwe have expressed satisfaction with the results of the 11th Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) meeting, which was held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from May 28–30, 2023, writes Memory Phoso.
The meeting was co-chaired by Malawian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo and Zimbabwean Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Joram McDonald Gumbo.
The ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on a number of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on cooperation in a number of areas, including:
Local government and police matters
Gender
Forestry management
Immigration
Energy
Information and broadcasting
The ministers also expressed confidence that the meeting would yield tangible results for both nations, saying the discussions helped address existing gaps between the two countries.
In her closing remarks, Minister Tembo said, "The intention is to improve relations between Malawi and Zimbabwe. We are both developing countries, and there are a lot of common grounds on which we can work together to make progress. All this is intended to make life and processes much easier between our countries. I am glad we have generated momentum so that as we move into the next JPCC, we will have covered a lot of ground."
Minister Gumbo echoed Minister Tembo's sentiments, saying, "Both countries are on a trajectory of improving citizens' livelihoods. The discussions that we have been having here have focused on the importance of trade between the two countries. It is common knowledge that Malawi and Zimbabwe have come a long way together. It is now important that whatever is happening in our respective countries be of benefit to either of our countries."
The ministers concluded by expressing their commitment to working together to further strengthen the ties between Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Perhaps an area of sensitivity but a tripartite transfrontier area for wildlife and tourism products could be developed between the safari areas of north east Zimbabwe to south western Malawi through Mozambique.
It seems improbable and the people would have to come first.