•PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu (centre) and First Lady Esther (right) being welcomed by his Angolan counterpart, Jose Eduardo Dos Santos (left) at the Presidential Palace in Luanda, Angola yesterday. Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

From REBECCA MUSHOTA  in LUANDA, ANGOLA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has called for improved trade between Zambia and Angola owing to the various projects that the two countries are pursuing together.
Mr Lungu said the two countries enjoyed strong bilateral relations and had embarked on several infrastructural projects aimed at improving the living standards of their peoples.
President Lungu was speaking yesterday when he addressed a special session of the Angolan National Assembly in Luanda.
He said infrastructural projects held the key to unlocking the vast potential that had existed between the two countries for so long, and remained untapped.
“It is the desire of my Government to see that our two countries take full advantage of our bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples, especially through increased trade and investment,” the President said.
He assured the Angolan people that Zambia would expedite construction of the link to the Benguela railway line that would serve as an economic lifeline while providing the much-needed link to the sea.
“I am also aware that strides have been made between our two countries to connect our waterways through the Shangombo-Rivungo Canal project which will span 10 kilometres and provide a vital link for trade and passenger transport. I pledge my commitment to the fruition of this project,” President Lungu said.
He reiterated the Government’s commitment to build on the excellent relations between the two countries in order to expand bilateral cooperation, at all levels, for the mutual benefit of the people.
Zambia and Angola should work together through existing regional and continental mechanisms to ensure that their nationals are protected from terrorist attacks which were “alien to the fabric of our culture and threaten our security.”
President Lungu said regional peace and stability remain vital ingredients to achieving meaningful and sustainable development for the people.
“We are also committed to working with Angola, at the continental level, through the African Union as we together look forward to a more equitable and just Africa,” he said.
President Lungu said Angola and Zambia must take advantage of their immeasurable resources to create wealth for the people.
He said when he proposed a toast for his visit to that country that the two nations were endowed with immense natural resources such as minerals, abundant water, wildlife and vast arable land which could be tapped for wealth creation.
Speaker of the Angolan Parliament Fernando dos Santos said it was an honor to host President Lungu because among other reasons Zambia played an important role in bringing peace to Angola.
Mr dos Santos said the two countries should continue working together to turn their countries into prosperous nations.
He said the Angolan Parliamentarians were looking forward to working with Zambian parliamentarians to improve trade and improve the living standards of people.
President Lungu proposed a toast for the continued personal good health and well-being of Angolan President José Eduardo dos Santos and First Lady, Ana Paula dos Santos.
The toast was also proposed to the continued warm and friendly bilateral relations between Zambia and Angola and to the continued peace and prosperity of the two countries and well-being of their peoples.
President Lungu who will witness the commission of the refurbished Benguela Railway line today arrived here yesterday at 10:30 hours, at 4 De Fevereiro International Airport.
The President was met by External Minister Georges Chikoty after which he told journalists that he was happy to be in Angola.
Mr Lungu then held private talks with president dos Santos at his presidential palace.
After addressing Parliament, he went back to the palace for lunch while Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and Angolan Transport Minister Augusto Tomas signed two bilateral agreements on water transport and rail transport.
Mr Lungu then went to lay wreaths at  the National Square where Angolan founding father Agostinho Neto is buried.
He was scheduled to meet Zambians in Angola yesterday evening.
The president would leave for Zambia just after commissioning the railway.