Zambia, Malawi beacons of peace, says Kalaba

Fri, 07 Apr 2017 09:23:13 +0000

 By AARON CHIYANZO

 ZAMBIA and Malawi have been beacons of peace worldwide because they have shown commitment to the rule of law, democracy, good governance and peaceful transitions of power after an election, Foreign Affairs minister Harry Kalaba has said.

Mr Kalaba said that Zambia and Malawi were on record of being beacons of peace since they attained their independence.

Speaking at the 15th session of the Zambia-Malawi Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) of cooperation in Lusaka, Mr Kalaba said the two countries had shown commitment to the rule of law.

Mr Kalaba pointed out that Zambia and Malawi had also shown commitment to democracy and good governance and had experienced peaceful transitions of power after elections.

He said that the two countries had never been involved in civil war in contrast to what was happening in some parts of the world.

Mr Kalaba noted that the relationship between the two countries had been strengthened by shared values and virtues of the Commonwealth and common membership to other organizations.

“It is gratifying that Zambia and Malawi have been beacons of peace not only in Africa but the whole world. Our two countries have never been involved in a civil war since gaining independence in contrast to what is happening in some parts of the world,” he said.

Mr Kalaba expressed hope that the cooperation would produce results beneficial for both countries to uplift the lives of the vulnerable people.

And Malawian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Francis Kasaila also expressed hope that the JPC would benefit citizens of both countries.

Mr Kasaila said that the cooperation would result in improved trade relations.

He urged smale scale traders from both countries to take advantage of the benefits that were being accrued from the partnership.

Mr Kasaila pointed out that it was his hope that the JPC would also remove the trade barriers that still existed between Zambia and Malawi.

He acknowledged that Zambia was full of trade opportunities and a green market that Malawians could tap from.