Chakwera calls for closer Zambia, Malawi ties

By PRISCA LUMINGU-BANDA MALAWI’S President Lazarus Chakwera has called for strengthening of bilateral relations between Zambia and Malawi. President Chakwera said the two countries had a relationship that was anchored on common history and the attachment to rural growth, democracy, respect for human rights and economic accountability which would create a space for everyone to prosper. “We want to see how we can enhance these relationships and economic levels as SADC and COMESA,” Dr Chakwera said. Dr Chakwera said this when he visited President Edgar Lungu at State House yesterday during his one-day working visit. “I want to underscore our need for peace and co-existence that we continue to share because we cannot undo history. We are the same people and it is important for us to see how our people can prosper knowing that we share similar aspirations,” Dr Chakwera said. He said what troubled one country, troubled the other and now was time for economic prosperity and industrialisation that would change livelihoods. Dr Chakwera said he was looking forward to working with President Lungu and the people of Zambia. And President Lungu expressed gratitude that President Chakwera chose to visit Zambia first among other countries. “It is indeed a great honour that out of so many countries in the North, West, East, and South you have chosen to visit Zambia. We feel greatly honoured. This is indeed historical and it emphasises how close the Zambian people and Malawian people are,” he said.