HARARE, April 30. /TASS/. Russia and Zimbabwe will join efforts against sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union, co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission for economic cooperation said on Saturday.

The Russian delegation headed by Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov has arrived in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare on an official visit. On April 29 Manturov had a meeting with President Robert Mugabe and attended an industrial exhibition.

"We are for a full removal of unfair sanctions," Manturov said.

The EU and U.S. imposed economic sanctions against Zimbabwe for alleged violations at elections and confiscations of white farmers’ lands. Russia has been under the Western sanctions for Ukraine and reunification with Crimea.

Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegvi expressed gratitude to Russia for its vote against international sanctions at the UN Security Council in 2007 as those sanctions could have totally destroyed the country’s economy if approved.

We are grateful to the Russian Federation for support and solidarity in 2008 when Russia’s veto vote at the Security Council saved Zimbabwe from international sanctions that would have destroyed our country, Mumbengegvi said.

Sanctions against the African country have led to hyperinflation and unemployment surging to 80% It forced the government to replace payments in national currency inside the country with payments in U.S. dollars.

After the constitutional referendum in 2013, the EU has lifted most sanctions but President Mugabe is still under them. The U.S. sanctions are still effective.

At the meeting, the intergovernmental commission focused on a wide range of joint investment projects in Zimbabwe that would create new jobs.

Mumbengegvi called on Russia to join efforts for averting damage to the two countries’ economies affected by authors of the restrictive measures.