. Kalaba

By JAMES KUNDA –
BRITAIN has paid gratitude to the Zambian Government for maintaining that bilateral relations between the two countries will not be shaken by the United Kingdom (UK)’s exit from the European Union (EU).
British High Commissioner to Zambia Fergus Cochrane-Dyet said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that his country was grateful for the stance taken by its long-term cooperating partner.
Mr Cochrane-Dyet was reacting to statements by Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba and his Commerce, Trade and Industry counterpart Margaret Mwanakatwe, in which the duo affirmed that the Zambia-British relations were intact.
“I welcome the statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Harry Kalaba following the UK’s referendum on its membership of the European Union.  The minister said that, while Zambia would study its implications, the bilateral relationship between Zambia and the UK would not be affected.
“In addition, the Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Margaret Mwanakatwe, has offered reassurance to Zambia’s business community about ongoing trade and investment between Zambia and both the UK and the European Union. I am grateful to both ministers for their timely and perceptive remarks,” Mr Cochrane-Dyet said.
He said the UK looked forward with confidence to maintaining its partnerships with the Zambian Government and businesses in the years ahead.
The British people last week voted to leave the EU in a national referendum, with more than 50 per cent of the population voting in the affirmative.