Lungu to pursue strategic foreign relations

-President Edgar Lungu has pledged to pursue strategic partnerships that will be in line with Zambia’s national interests and attract foreign direct investment in key economic areas.

President Lungu says Zambia will play an active role in strengthening regional economic communities in order to encourage intra-Africa trade and promote fair trade through multilateral trade agreements at the global level.

The Head of State hailed the warm and friendly relations that exist between Zambia and other countries and organisations both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

The President was speaking this afternoon when he hosted diplomats accredited to Zambia for the annual greetings ceremony held at State House.

He said the vision of the Patriotic Front government as pronounced in the revised foreign policy which was launched in 2014 shall continue to be premised on values and principles which safe guard the country’s security and promote socio-economic and cultural interests.

President Lungu commended countries and organisations that monitored the just end presidential by-elections especially the African Union, the European Union, the SADC and COMESA saying the presence of various observers and monitors enhanced the transparency of the electoral process.

He stated that Zambia stands proud of her democratic tradition adding that the last elections served to re-inforce the country’s legacy as a peaceful and stable democracy which he said is being promoted not only in Zambia but in the region as well.

The President appreciated the diplomats for the goodwill messages they conveyed from their respective governments on his ascendency to the position of president and thanked them for the moral and financial support rendered to Zambia to enable the Electoral Commission of Zambia to conduct the elections.

And Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Attala Qubia expressed confidence and hope that during President Lungu’s term the relations between Zambia and their respective countries and the international community in general will acquire more strength and momentum.

Mr. Qubia who is also Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zambia pledged to stand beside President Lungu and render him all that they could to achieve the Zambian people’s aspirations.

The ceremony was also attended by Vice President Inonge Wina, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba, Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda and High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to Zambia as well as Heads of international organisations.

Tourism and Arts Minister Jean Kapata, Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Chama and other senior government officials were also in attendance.