Angolan President Expected In Zambia

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Joseph Malanji wishes to inform the nation that at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr. Joáo Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, will undertake a State Visit to Zambia, from 2nd to 3rd May, 2018.

Zambia and Angola have enjoyed warm bilateral relations which date as far back as the liberation struggle and the Angolan civil war, during which Zambia hosted Angolan refugees and facilitated the signing of the Lusaka Peace Protocol. The two countries have ongoing joint projects and bilateral agreements in various sectors of economic and social development.

The Visit of the Angolan Leader therefore presents an opportunity to further enhance the bilateral relations by reinvigorating cooperation and also for the two leaders to discuss other areas of mutual interest such as peace and security in the region given that Angola is the current Chair of the SADC Organ Troika whilst Zambia will assume the Chair of the Organ in August, 2018.

The two Heads of State will hold Bilateral Talks and witness the signing of bilateral agreements in various areas. In addition, the Heads of State will officiate at the Zambia – Angola Business Forum.

Angola is a key strategic partner to Zambia in the Patriotic Front Government’s quest to deliver development to the Zambian people, as articulated in the Seventh National Development Plan especially in the areas of peace, security, trade, oil and gas, transport and infrastructure development, to mention but a few.

The Zambian Government recognises the importance of collaboration with Angola, the rest of its neighbours and beyond, in the shared aspiration for sustainable development and the attainment of regional peace and security.

In the same vein, the continued high level visits to Zambia are evidence of the significance attached, by other countries, to engagement with Zambia in pursuit of developmental and other aspirations.

His Excellency the President will, therefore, continue to engage with his counterparts, the world over, to ensure that a conducive environment for Zambia’s developmental aspirations is maintained on the international arena.