• PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu (centre) with newly-accredited high commissioners and ambassadors to Zambia after the presentation of their credentials at State House yesterday. Picture by SALIM HENRY/State House
By STEVEN ZANDE –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has urged diplomats accredited to Zambia to go to him and discuss freely on pertinent national issues to help foster good governance in Zambia and deepen bilateral relations with other nations.
Mr Lungu said this at State House yesterday when he received letters of credence from 13 ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to Zambia.
“Let me assure you that we will continue working with you in the manner that we worked with your predecessors. Feel free to call on us… if you feel the need, you can set for a one-on-one meeting with us,” the President said.
Mr Lungu urged diplomats to feel free and approach him, even at short notice, whenever they had an issue they felt should be discussed as this was vital to generating solutions to domestic challenges and fostering better relations with other countries.
Speaking to new US Ambassador to Zambia, Daniel Foote, the President said Government was keen to deepen existing relations with the US, saying Zambia had so far scored progress in various areas including improving its human rights record.
Mr Lungu said Government appreciated the US government’s support to Zambia in areas like health, business reforms and water and sanitation projects under the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
When addressing the Norwegian envoy, Kikkan Hauge, Mr Lungu said the Norwegian government should continue supporting Zambia’s health and education sectors, as this was vital to helping supplement Government’s efforts in improving the people’s livelihoods.
“I was pleased when you said you had closed the embassy but you haven’t left. Please don’t close your heart,” Mr Lungu said.
The President further called for expanded trade between Zambia and Nigeria, considering that Nigeria was one of the biggest economies in Africa, stating this could facilitate trade in areas like manufacturing, financial services, entertainment and communications.
To page 2
Mr Lungu said Government was keen to promote cordial relations with other countries in an effort to enhance bilateral relations and multinational cooperation among States.
Mr Foote said among other things, he would work to help Zambia develop its natural resource base so that Zambians could benefit through increased economic opportunities and better living conditions in communities.
Mr Hauge said although his country closed its embassy in Zambia they would continue supporting Zambia in various areas of cooperation, including helping build a strong renewable energy base.
Swaziland High Commissioner Dumisile Sukati said the recent high-level visits between Zambia and her country would foster more trade, encourage exchange programmes in science tourism and culture praised President Lungu for resolving challenges using peaceful means.
Among other countries, the diplomats were French ambassador Sylvain Berger, Nigerian High Commissioner Muhammad Umar, Indian High
Commissioner Ngulkham Gangte, Tanzanian High Commissioner, Abdulrahman Kaniki and Polish ambassador Andrzej Kanthak.
Others were Cyprian High Commissioner Yannis Iacovou, Pakistani ambassador Riaz Bukhari, Ugandan High Commissioner Richard Kabonero, Canadian High Commissioner Ian Myles, Norwergian ambassador Mr Haugen, Mauritanian ambassador Cheikh Hamadi and Kingdome of Swaziland High Commissioner Ms Sukuti.
