President Edgar Lungu yesterday received Letters of Credence from Charity Angeline Charamba, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe; François Goldblatt, Ambassador of the Republic of France; and Ali Abdullah Salim Al Mahruqi, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman.
During the ceremony held at State House in Lusaka, the Head of State noted that the Government remains committed to promoting strategic partnerships with Zimbabwe in various key political, social and economic sectors.
President Lungu acknowledged the long-standing bonds of friendship between Zambia and Zimbabwe and reiterated the Government’s unwavering support to strengthening excellent relations for the benefit of the people and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The President lauded Zimbabwe for the outstanding role played in consolidating peace and security in the region during its tenure as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation from August 2019 to August 2020 through the able leadership of His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
And Ambassador Charamba highlighted the long-standing bonds of friendship that exist between Zambia and Zimbabwe, pledging to enhance the bilateral relations and ensure deeper economic cooperation in different spheres.
Ambassador Charamba noted the collaboration between the two countries in driving the economic agenda through SADC, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), African Union (AU) and other international bodies.
The Head of State noted that Zambia and France have continued to share and advance common principles on international issues such as peace and security, human rights, climate change, democracy and good governance.
President Lungu expressed gratitude to France for its continued economic and technical support to Zambia in sectors such as health, education, agriculture and energy.
“…The French Government, through the French Development Agency (AFD), has supported projects at the Itezhi tezhi Power Station, Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company and the Rehabilitation of the Great East Road, from the Luangwa Bridge. The people of Zambia remain grateful for such and other forms of support by France, which contribute to Zambia’s development agenda,” the President said.
Ambassador Goldblatt emphasized the need to promote deeper interaction between Zambia and France.
The envoy cited the two countries’ common attachment to democracy, the common belief in the virtues of cultural interaction, and the joint dedication to the cause of development as areas in which the two countries should continue to deepen cooperation.
Ambassador Goldblatt highlighted the dynamism of the economies of Zambia and France and the vibrant French business community that is working hard to serve the medium and long term prosperity of the two countries.
Ambassador Goldblatt noted that France remains ready as a dedicated, dynamic, efficient and reliable partner.
President Lungu noted the friendly relations between the Republic of Zambia and the Sultanate of Oman, adding that the Government would continue to engage Oman to explore cooperation in areas such as tourism, trade and promotion of investment opportunities.
Ambassador Mahruqi pledged to continue working to solidify the existing bilateral relations between the Republic of Zambia and the Sultanate of Oman
Welcome to Zambia your Excellencies accredited to our country.
What benefits can Zambia get from a friendship with Sultante of Oman? May its is just international politics. Yes we can’t ignore Zimbabwe has the two countries have many things in common. Even France, its a big investor in Zambia though its exploiting us through high pricing of cement by Lafarge.
I can’t go to that PF nation, Why not just wait to next August when a Zambia restart to exist?
These PF you handing over papers to will be out to your countries in exile.
Why should this be news Kanshi mu Zambia zoona
I can’t understand why countries like Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, Tanzania, DRC should even bother to have embassies in Zambia and vice versa. It would be cheaper and beneficial to just maintain travel bureaux to facilitate the issuance of travel documents; and cultural exchange offices to enhance further sports and cultural interactions. The next time we’ll from these diplomats is when they’ll be leaving if at all they won’t just disappear. If we audit the voters’ roll we’ll find many voters from these countries. They know Zambia better than the aged diplomats. Whom have they come to represent because we know that their stranded citizens don’t get any assistance. Most use footpaths and canoes to cross borders and speak local languages you can’t tell that they’re from abroad
Fellow citizens and Muuwerewere , i would like to share that Zambia has alot to benefit from Oman , as it is one of the very rich but small countries in the Gulf Council Countries and Middle East , met them last year in Bahrain another small rich countries , we have alot to learn from these countries ,including building the agriculture and food market as is Saudi Arabia .
Then for our fellow SADC and COMESA Region , there are too various business abd trade opportunities which we need to just actualize on this one Thanks Mr. President as some of these positions have been vacant since January . To all fellow patriots and whole of Africa , I wish you a very merry xmass and productive 2021