President Lungu’s foreign trips are key to Zambia’s development

Foreign Affairs Minister Harry has assured
the nation  that the high level state visits that President Lungu
undertakes are the surest ways to unlock potential and mutual
beneficial cooperation with other countries.
Mr Kalaba said for that reason his ministry will continue facilitating
such high level visits between the Head of State and his counterparts
on the continent and beyond.
Addressing a press briefing in Lusaka today Mr Kalaba said the state visits are in line with Zambia’s Foreign Policy as espoused in the revised Foreign policy of 2014.
Mr Kalaba also outlined the forthcoming international engagements that President Lungu is scheduled to undertake in the coming few days.
He said in recognition of the country’s standing in the region and beyond, President Lungu has been invited by his Tanzanian counterpart John Magufuli to undertake a state visit to that country from 27th to 29th November this year.
He said the two Heads of State will discuss among other things, the revitalization of the Tanzania Railways and Tazama Pipeline.
Mr Kalaba also revealed that President Lungu has been invited to undertake a state visit to South Africa to discuss diplomatic consultations from 7th -10th December this year.

In addition Mr Kalaba also announced that President Lungu has accepted an invitation from President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to undertake a state visit to the Arab Republic from 13th to 15th December this year.
He added that President Lungu will also attend the International Conference on the Great Lakes region to take place on 15th December in Nairobi and that the summit will mark the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the pact on peace, security and development in the
great lakes region.
And Mr Kalaba says President Lungu has appointed some ministers as Special envoys to gunner support for the fielding of Ambassador Albert Muchanga and Dr Austin Sichinga as African Union Commissioners for Trade and Industry and Rural Economy and Agriculture respectively.
He disclosed that those appointed are Justice Minister Given Lubinda as Special Envoy for the Northern Region that includes countries like Mauritania, Tunisia and Egypt, Commerce Minister Magrate Mwanakatwe for Eastern Region that include countries; Kenya , Rwanda and Uganda.
Others are Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya for Western Region that includes Cote d’Vore and Ghana while Higher Education Minister Professor Nkandu Luo will be Special Envoy to Central Region catering countries like Equatorial Guinea and Democratic Republic of Congo.
“These visits are a testimony to the importance President Lungu attaches to the placement of Zambian nationals in international Organisations in order to safeguard our national interests, “said Kalaba.