Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. HARARE, Feb. 20 (NewsDay Live) – Foreign Affairs minister, Amon Murwira, has called for the strategic alignment of Zimbabwe’s foreign relations with trade, warning that national objectives risk becoming unattainable without a strong economic focus.
“You cannot have an objective without the means to achieve it. Without capability, an objective becomes a pipe dream,” Murwira said during a presentation at the Zimbabwe National Defence University in Harare on Wednesday.
Murwira stressed that Zimbabwe’s foreign policy must deliver tangible economic benefits.
“Zimbabwe’s foreign policy is not about ceremonial diplomacy. It must culminate in tangible economic outcomes. You cannot celebrate poverty. You celebrate movement from poverty to prosperity,” he said.
He underscored the importance of regional stability, warning that poverty anywhere poses a threat.
“There is nothing attractive about poverty anywhere. It is a threat. Zimbabwe’s destiny is intrinsically linked to that of its neighbours,” he said.
Murwira highlighted sovereignty, inclusivity, openness to business and peaceful engagement as key pillars of the country’s diplomatic approach.
“Diplomats are not sent abroad as beggars. They are negotiators tasked with securing mutually beneficial trade and cooperation agreements,” he noted.
He described war as a breakdown of diplomacy.
“There should be fewer gunshots and more conversations,” he said.
Murwira emphasised that development must be defined in practical, measurable terms.
“Development is access to food, water, shelter, health, transport, communication, sleep and innovation. Prosperity is the presence of these essentials. Poverty is their deficiency,” he said.
Drawing an analogy, he added: “If the oxen are not aligned, the plough will not move efficiently. Likewise, institutions, policies and capabilities must be properly configured to drive development.”
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