At a press conference following the meeting, Murwira said Zimbabwe is working on fulfilling the requirements necessary to join BRICS {Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa} – an informal grouping of emerging economies hoping to increase their sway in the global order.

   “We are at the application stage and are awaiting a response in line with the consensus reached within the BRICS framework,” Murwira said, describing BRICS as one of the most important platforms for economic cooperation.

   Both Murwira and Lavrov emphasised that the two countries enjoy excellent relations in the political sphere and are working to ensure that ties expand in the economic field.

   The Russian minister said relations between the countries were based on the principles of equality and mutual respect.

   “We paid special attention to the need to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, agreed to take additional steps to identify promising areas of joint interests, first of all in geological exploration, development of mineral resources, energy, including nuclear, agriculture, space, as well as information and communication technologies,” said Lavrov.

   He pointed out that Russia annually allocates 125 scholarships for Zimbabwean citizens to study in the country’s universities. He said the Russian side is ready to increase this quota.

   Lavrov also said that the third Russia-Africa summit will be held in 2026, and the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum will be held in 2025 in one of the African countries.