Madagascar admires Zambia’s stability

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 10:20:55 +0000

By ANNIE ZULU

MADAGASCA President Henry Rajaonarimampianina has praised Zambia for maintaining peace and political stability.

“Zambia has proved to be a giant of democracy on the African continent, we envy Zambia’s democracy and we wish to see the same thing in our country,” he said.

President Rajaonarimampianina, who is also Chairperson for COMESA, further pledged to develop trade among African countries within the region.

And President Edgar Lungu has called on African leaders to promote peace and security on the Continent.

President Lungu noted that there could be no sustainable development in Africa without peace.

The two Presidents were speaking yesterday when they held bilateral talks at State House.

“There is need for peace in Africa, because development cannot take place on the Continent without it,” he said.

And President Lungu has directed Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba to work closely with his Madagascan counterpart Beatrice Atallah and ensure that a general framework to accelerate more developmental and economic corporation between the two countries was signed.

He said the framework would pave way for Zambia and Madagascar to exchange programs in sectors such as education, agriculture and tourism.

“I would like to give a directive to the two Foreign Affairs Ministers to ensure that a framework is signed between the two countries and see how we could work together in various sectors for the benefit of the people of both countries.

“It would be a good thing to have teachers from Madagascar coming to Zambia to teach us French and Zambian teachers going to Madagascar to teach the people there English Language.

“Both Zambia and Madagascar are rich in natural resources, so it would be great if we exchanged ideas and work together on how we can utilise our resources and uplift our people from poverty,” he said.

He also called for trade between Zambia and Madagascar.

The Head of State said enhanced trade relations between the two countries would benefit the people of both countries.

“We cannot continue to import goods from other continents, we need to improve and encourage trade among ourselves as African countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Lungu has reiterated Zambia’s commitment to addressing issues of climate change.

He said the impact of climate change was severe in Zambia and therefore, the topic could not be ignored.

“Zambia has experienced severe impact of climate change and so we remain committed to the Paris Agreement,” he said.