Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Edgar Lungu and Federal Councillor and Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis share a moment at State House
The government of Switzerland has hailed the bilateral relations and economic cooperation that exists between Zambia and that country.
Federal Councillor and Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis says his country and Zambia have since independence enjoyed good relations.
Mr. Cassis says following the establishment of a Swiss Consulate in Zambia in 1969 after recognizing the independence of Zambia in 1966, the two countries have cooperated in a number of areas.
He says Zambia and Switzerland have also signed various agreements that include the reciprocal protection of investment and the convention for the avoidance of double taxation.
Mr. Cassis who is leading a delegation to Zambia said the economic relations between the two countries have since increased with Zambia’s exports to his country.
He notes that Zambia actually exports more than what it exports to China, South Africa and United States of America combined.
Mr. Cassis states that Switzerland has in fact become the largest trading partner of Zambia with about 44.3% shares in Zambia’s exports.
The visiting Federal Councillor and Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland was speaking when he called on President Edgar Lungu at State House in Lusaka.
And President Lungu says Zambia appreciates bilateral ties that are beneficial to citizens of both countries.
President Lungu and the Swiss delegation later held a closed door meeting.
The Head of State had earlier met the Germany Delegation led by Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Herd Muller.
Mr. Muller praised Zambia for being an example in Africa in maintaining peace and unity in the country.
He observed that the region looks up to Zambia and hoped that the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo will have a peaceful transition of power following the elections last week.
President Lungu said the regional bodies are on top of this adding that he was in the afternoon scheduled to travel to South Africa for a meeting regarding the Congo situation.
Later President Lungu met the European Union delegation led by EU Ambassador Alessandro Mariano.
The delegation and the President discussed matter of peace and security of the region with President Lungu noting that SADC leaders are hoping that the will of the people will prevail in the DRC.
President Lungu said Zambia is the chair of the SADC organ on defence and security and will help where possible to ensure peace in the region.
And Mr. Mariano said the EU will continue to work with Zambia as a could try and the rest of the countries in the region.