By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK Zimbab-wean President Robert Mugabe last Friday concluded his four-day state visit to Namibia during which he signed several bilateral agreements During his stay, Mugabe and his counterpart President Hifikepunye Pohamba had an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations as well as major global and regional issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus. Mugabe’s state visit was preceded by the 4th Session of the Namibia-Zimbabwe Joint Permanent Commission on Cooperation where the Commission reviewed progress made in the implementation of ongoing bilateral programmes. The two heads of state expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the 4th Session. A number of bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed in the areas of diplomatic consultation, energy and taxation. Mugabe and Pohamba both agreed on the need to increase trade and investment between Namibia and Zimbabwe. They called on the business communities in their respective countries to make use of existing opportunities. According to a joint communiquÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚©, the two presidents reiterated their concern over the economic sanctions and other harsh measures imposed on Zimbabwe, which have caused socio-economic hardships to the people of Zimbabwe. They called for the immediate lifting of the sanctions At SADC level, Mugabe and Pohamba welcomed the recent successful general elections and the inauguration of a democratic government in the DRC. They called on the international community not to cease its support for that country as the people of the DRC have put in efforts towards consolidating peace, national reconstruction and economic development. Generally, the two presidents expressed satisfaction with the prevailing peace and stability on the African continent despite serious concerns about the conflicts in Somalia and the Darfur region of Sudan. They reaffirmed their full support for the efforts of the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) in this regard. The duo expressed concern about the lack of progress in the implementation of UN resolutions on the Western Sahara. They called upon the international community to intensify efforts towards the full exercise of the inalienable right to self-determination and national independence of the Saharawi people, the joint communiquÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚© said. Beyond Africa, the two presidents similarly shared concerns about the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and further called for the immediate implementation of the relevant UN resolutions especially on Palestine.