Zim/ US in renewed dialogue

Harare- Zimbabwe and the United States are set to open a new page of dialogue this week when U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs Robert Scott visits Harare for talks with senior government officials.
Zimbabwe and the U.S. have been at loggerheads since the former implemented the land reform programme at the turn of the millenium to correct colonial land ownership imbalances.
The U.S responded with illegal and unilateral sanctions which remain in place over two decades later despite growing calls for their removal by the progressive world.
Despite maintaining the sanctions, the U.S. admits its sanctions have caused a dearth in foreign investment into Zimbabwe, costing it billions in lost economic opportunities.
But, despite the animosity, which the U.S fuels through sponsoring a regime change agenda through opposition parties and Non Governmental Organisstions, the Zimbabwe government has opened avenues for communication under its engagement and re-engagement programme.
The engagement and re-engagement programme is premised on Zimbabwe being a friend to all and an enemy to none.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs and International Trade spokesperson Livit Mugejo said Scott’s visit to Zimbabwe, from Tuesday to Friday, was meant to discuss various issues of mutual interest between the two countries.
During the visit, Scott is scheduled to meet Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Frederick Shava together with relevant government Ministers.
“The meeting is expected to review the recent US-Africa Leaders Summit which was held in Washington DC, and to which, Zimbabwe was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon Ambassador Shava.
“On the back of the inroads which the two countries have made in cooperating, at both bilateral and multilateral levels,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is expected to apprise Ambassador Scott on the AFDB Structured Dialogue Programme and the associated reform priorities which the government has implemented, especially in the last five years.”