TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CALLS FOR CLOSER TIES WITH ZAMBIA

President George Maxwell Richards, right, looks  on as

Zambia High Commissioner-designate,  H.E. Dr. Nevers Mumba,

signs the visitors' book at President's House before presenting

the President with his credentials.  Looking on is the

High Commissioner's wife Florence Mumba. (Photo by Keith Mathews

The President of Trinidad and Tobago  Professor George Maxwell Richards has called for closer ties between his country and  Zambia.

He appealed to Zambia to open an Honorary Consul office as a minimum point of contact in the absence of a resident Embassy in order to deepen and consolidate the already existing ties.

He said  this when he received Credentials from the newly accredited Zambian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago,  H.E. Dr. Nevers S. Mumba in Port of Spain. Dr. Mumba will serve as High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago on non residential basis.

Professor Richards  added that  it was the wish of his country to revive cooperation agreements  in Technical, Scientific and Cultural Sectors signed  in 1995 during the State visit of Zambia’s Second Republic President Dr. Frederick J.T Chiluba.

President George Maxwell Richards also reminded Dr. Nevers Mumba  of the visit of Zambian First Republican  President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda in the early 80s to that country.

In turn Dr. Nevers Mumba expressed to President Professor George Maxwell Richards, President Rupiah B. Banda’s satisfaction at the excellent friendship and cordial relations that exist between the two countries, stressing that Zambia is impressed with the smooth election in Trinidad and Tobago that ushered in a new government led by the first female Prime Minister, the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

The new High Commissioner further stated that he would do his best to boost friendship between Zambia and Trinidad and Tobago for the benefit of the two peoples.

Dr. Mumba also conveyed a message of condolences on behalf of His Excellency, President Rupiah B. Banda on the death of Trinidad’s first President, Sir. Ellis Clarke who died on 30^th December, 2010 and was buried first week of January 2011.

Earlier, High Commissioner, Dr. Nevers Mumba held bilateral talks with Trinidad’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Surujrattan Rhambachan and discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the promotion of closer ties in trade and technical support.

At this meeting, Trinidada and Tobago offered Zambia an opportunity for Zambian students to be trained in petroleum studies following Zambia’s prospecting for oil and gas.

Other bilateral meetings were  held  with the Minister of Trade and Industry, Stephen Cadiz and the Minister of Energy, Mrs. Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan.

This is contained in a press release issued by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian embassy in Washington DC Ben Kangwa.