PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has held a series of talks with Israeli Government leaders in which the Zambian Head of State called for cooperation between Zambia and the Jewish State in technology transfer and fostering peace in the Middle East.
Mr Lungu yesterday held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli president and the minister of Health.
At a meeting with the Israeli leader at his office in Jerusalem, President Lungu called for technology transfer in water management to enable the country best utilise one of the resources it had in abundance.
Mr Lungu said Zambia had a lot of under-utilised water resource and needed Israel’s support in terms of technology needed to manage it.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Lungu said Zambia was trying to explore education opportunities for the country to prosper in other fields such as energy, agriculture, health and technology.

•PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu during talks with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (right) in Jerusalem yesterday. Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATE HOUSE

Mr Lungu also said the relationship between Zambia and Israel was cordial and that it would last.
Mr Netanyahu said his country would soon send Israeli experts to Zambia in the fields of energy and water to examine areas of collaboration.
He said Israel was happy with Zambia’s democratic record as it had been a beacon of peace.
Mr Netanyahu said Israel was focusing much on Africa for partnerships in many areas such as water, energy, technology and agriculture.
President Lungu also held talks with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin earlier at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.
Mr Lungu said Zambia looked forward to the amicable solution over the security challenges facing Israel.
He said Zambia drew inspiration from Israel as it played a key role in the global economy.
The Zambian Government would dialogue with Israel and Palestine to encourage both parties to a win-win solution.
The Israeli president said all Jews had a warm feeling towards Zambians as they contributed effectively to the independence of the country.
President Rivlin said Zambia was one of the first countries in Africa to receive Jews as they were being hunted down after the Second World War.
He said Zambia harboured the Jewish people in Livingstone and Ndola, resulting in setting up a Jewish Museum.
President Rivlin said Zambia was growing rapidly, a move that had excited the Government of Israel.
He said the Government of Israel was happy with Zambia’s stance on the need to fight terrorism.
Mr Rivlin said terrorism should not be tolerated as it affected the Middle East and other parts of the world.
He said Israel was keen to see peace and harmony in his country and the Middle East in general.
Mr Rivlin said Israel viewed Zambia as a symbol of cooperation with Africa.
President Lungu also had a meeting with Health Minister Yokuv Litzman at a breakfast meeting in which the Head of State said Zambia was looking for partnership with Israel in areas of medical training and infrastructure.
He said Zambia was centrally located in Southern Africa, a move that would see the development of medical tourism.
President Lungu is on a five-day visit to Israel at the invitation of Mr Netanyahu and, apart from meeting Government leaders, the President is expected to officiate at a Zambia-Israel business forum as well as meet Zambians living in Israel.– ZNBC