LUSAKA – President Edgar Lungu on Tuesday hosted His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi who chose to visit the copper-rich nation as part of his first trip out of his beautiful country since he was elected to office in May.
President Lungu took time to commend the people of Malawi for conducting peaceful elections and said he is confident that as its new President, Dr Chakwera will promote the advancement and furtherance of democratic principles, fundamental freedoms, and good governance for the consolidation of democracy in the Southern African Development Community SADC and Malawi in particular.
The two countries share strong economic ties that actively exist within the framework of the Zambia/Malawi Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPC).
“We are indeed one people! Not only do we share a common boundary but a rich culture, language and heritage which also signifies the oneness of our two peoples,” said President Lungu.
Lungu who is seeking to be elected into office for the third time when Zambia goes for elections in 2021 said the two nations must work on finding lasting solutions to their common challenges.
“Zambia and Malawi share the same challenges, including power deficits and unreliable rail transport, and it is important that solutions are found through working together. In this regard, we agreed on the need for our two countries to work together to fight problems confronting our two great nations,” he said.
The two leaders agreed that there is a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it has presented an opportunity to support local businesses such as farmers and others in the value chain to sell their produce without competition from outside.
