The Sunday Mail
ZIMBABWE and Turkiye (formerly Turkey) are working on finalising various memoranda of understanding as the two countries strengthen and deepen relations. Our Correspondent Wallace Ruzvidzo (WR) sat down with the new Turkiye Ambassador to Zimbabwe Berna Kasnakli Versteden (BKV) to discuss relations between the two countries.
****************
WR: You recently presented your credentials to President Mnangagwa, please outline your main mission to Zimbabwe?
BKV: My main mission to Zimbabwe is first and foremost to represent my country and to deepen our relations. There are many areas that I think we can cooperate on and it is my mission to identify those areas and work on them with our Zimbabwean partners to enhance our relationship in every field. I do not want to limit myself to trade and economic relations, we have so many areas that we can cooperate on.
WR: How would you describe current relations between Zimbabwe and Turkiye?
BKV: I would describe relations between our two countries as very good. After presenting my credentials to the President, I paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the National Assembly Advocate Jacob Mudenda this past week, met ministers and I have been receiving a lot of Zimbabwean friends, so I would describe relations as very good.
WR: How is trade between the two countries?
BKV: Trade volumes are way below our potential, so this is one area I would like to focus on.
This past week, I talked to ZimTrade and next week we will have a virtual meeting with ZIDA (Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency) jointly with the Zimbabwean Embassy in Ankara on economic cooperation.
We have a lot to discuss on agriculture; we have a very huge agriculture sector, producing a lot of equipment and I understand Zimbabwe is progressing well in this very important sector.
Mining is another sector where Zimbabwe is very rich. Education is also an important area where Turkiye is providing scholarships and we will continue to increase the numbers. I also want to grow cultural relations. Tourism is another area for cooperation.
WR: What does Zimbabwe import from Turkiye and what does it export to Turkiye?
BKV: We import cotton, tobacco, gold, platinum, lithium and iron ore. We mostly export transport vehicles, petrol chemical products, food and textiles to Zimbabwe. Turkiye is also interested in infrastructure, as an experienced country with international contractors. I see a lot of mutually beneficial business opportunities.
WR: What would you like to see improve during your tenure?
BKV: I would like to improve the legal basis of our relations. We have quite a number of agreements and also documents that are under review by our respective ministries, but they are not yet finalised. I would like to see those finalised so that we can start building on these MoUs or cooperation agreements. Covid-19 caused a gap in people- to-people relations, so I would also like to improve on that.
Tourism can be another area to look at. I want to see more Turkish people coming to Zimbabwe as it has a lot to offer in terms of tourism and Turkiye has a lot to offer to Zimbabwean friends.
WR: What do some of the MoUs you just spoke about entail?
BKV: They entail a whole range of issues, from trade and the economy to double taxation and tourism, as well as health.
WR: Zimbabwe has been under sanctions for over two decades, what are your thoughts on these?
BKV: Turkiye has a principled stance on sanctions.
Nationally, we implement the United Nations sanctions when there is a Security Council resolution.
On the question of bilateral sanctions, we are not very much supporting them, so this is our principle and stance as a country.
WR: President Mnangagwa has said Zimbabwe is open for business, how is Turkiye responding to this?
BKV: We have responded very positively because this will be one of my priority areas to deepen business relations. This will be a message we will pass on to our business people and chambers. We will tell them that this is the message we have received from the highest authority in Zimbabwe.
WR: What was your perception of Zimbabwe before you came and what is it now?
BKV: My perception was positive. I knew tourist beauties like the Victoria Falls and the national parks. They are stunning. Even Harare is beautiful and the people are calm and welcoming, so I am very happy to be here.
