By SIMON MUNTEMBA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says his Government has invited various international stakeholders to deploy election observer missions to witness the general elections on August 12, this year.
The President meanwhile said he stood ready to continue collaborating with likeminded foreign countries to global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and terrorism,
Mr Lungu said this at State House in Lusaka yesterday during the presentation of credentials by the five ambassadors.
The five ambassadors were, Arthur Villanova, of Brazil, Moataz Anwar, of Egypt, Istem Circiroglu from Turkey, Miguel de Mascarenhas, Portugal and Loukas Karatsolis of the Hellenic Republic (Greece).
President Lungu said their appointments came at a time when enhanced cooperation on the global arena with countries has become even more crucial.
He said this was in view of the emerging regional and global threats to people’s health, their lifestyles and livelihoods which needed enhanced and collective engagement of world leaders.
In this respect, he said, Zambia was ready to continue collaborating with likeminded partners in mitigating and ending the scourges.
He explained that in response to the adverse climatic conditions and Covid-19 pandemic, his Government was implementing the economic recovery programme.
The programme, he said, was aimed at restoring growth and macroeconomic stability in the full confidence that the initiative would restore economic stability and engender growth.
On the local front, he assured them that Government was committed to ensuring that the August 12 elections were held in a peaceful, free and fair manner.
He urged the envoy to find time off their busy schedules to explore the Zambia, in order for them to better understand and appreciate the nation and its friendly people.
President Lungu assured the Ambassadors that Government would always be available to facilitate their work during their tours of duty.
