HONDURAS PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CLOSER TIES WITH ZAMBIA

By Ben Kangwa in Tegucigalpa

President Lobo Sosa receives credentials from Amb. Siwela

President Porfirio Lobo Sosa of Honduras has called for the enhancement of cooperation between his country and Zambia in order to promote better economic ties, saying closer ties could serve the fundamental interests of the two countries.

He emphasized that Honduras – Zambia cooperation could have great potential to strengthen bilateral cooperation in aspects such as trade, agriculture, forestry and tourism.

Receiving credentials from Zambia’s Ambassador based in the United States of America, Mrs. Sheila Siwela, at the Presidential Palace in Tegucigalpa, President Lobo Sosa said Honduras attaches great importance to developing ties with Zambia and is ready to deepen bilateral friendly cooperation.

Besides representing Zambia in the United States, Mrs. Siwela is also accredited on non-residential basis to the Republic of Belize, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of El Salvador, the Republic of Haiti, the Republic of Guatemala and the United Mexican States.

At the meeting with President Lobo Sosa , Ambassador Siwela conveyed warm greetings and good wishes from President Rupiah  Banda.

“I have also been entrusted with joyful responsibility of bringing to you and through you to the people of Honduras, fraternal greetings from the government and people of Zambia,” she added.

Ambassador Siwela also added that the relationship between Zambia and Honduras was firm and that it had remained warm and steadfast since Zambia’s independence and further stated,” It is the hope of President Banda that the two countries enhance trade and cultural ties.”

After the credential presentation ceremony, Ambassador Siwela had a private chat with President Lobo Sosa on efforts to consolidate the ties that exists between the two countries.

President Lobo Sosa (r) and Amb. Siwela after presentation of credentials

“I had a  good  private discussion with President Lobo Sosa. We discussed efforts to develop bilateral relations and the need for the two countries to exploit opportunities existing in each other’s country to derive mutual benefits,” she added.

Ambassador Siwela  also paid a courtesy call on Secretary of State in the Office of Trade and Industry, Mr. Jose Francisco Zelaya.

During their meeting, they discussed ways to improve trade and commerce between the two countries in the spirit of the South to South Cooperation.

Mr. Franscisco Zelaya  stated that the Honduras  government  was  keen to improve and broaden  areas of cooperation.

She also met with the Vice Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Juan Artica as well as the Under Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Alden Rivera Montes.

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The writer is Press Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Washington DC