ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT, EUROPEAN UNION HOLD TALKS

Government says it is seeking ways of enhancing new initiatives on how best to accelerate and expand the EU- development co-operation.

Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba said this in Lusaka when he officiated at the Zambia-EU political dialogue meeting on the side-lines of the European Union week.

Mr. Kalaba who led a delegation of some cabinet ministers that included Ngosa Simbyakula, Nkandu Luo, Joseph Katema and Margaret Mwanakatwe and other senior government officials later held private talks with EU Head of Delegation to Zambia Alessandro Mariani who was accompanied by 16 other dignitaries accredited to Zambia.

The minister noted that the last Zambia-EU political dialogue meeting was held in June 2015 and described the talk as successful.

Mr. Kalaba said the Zambian government wants to have a clear understanding on issues such as the migration crisis and terrorism affecting the European Union (EU) .

He pointed out that migration and terrorism are issues that have global implications on other countries including Zambia and that the country stands ready to support efforts aimed to countering terrorism.

Mr Kalaba reiterated that the Zambian government has continued to actively participate in peace initiatives and activities within and outside the region which includes contribution to personnel to the peace keeping in war torn countries like the Central African Republic.

And the minister disclosed that his ministry has finalized the diaspora policy and would soon be submitted to cabinet for approval before it is launched.

Mr. Kalaba said the policy contains issues of access to land, dual citizenship, and partnership in business, exchange of information and promotion of Zambia’s interests with other countries.

And speaking at the same occasion, EU Head of Delegation to Zambia Alessandro Mariani hailed the political discussions as a milestone as Zambia is preparing to hold general elections in august, this year.

Mr. Mariani reiterated the EU’s confidence in the Electoral Commission of Zambia to conduct free and fair elections in accordance with Zambia’s electoral laws.