Lungu hails allies France, Oman, Zim

By SIMON MUNTEMBAPRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says although the world economy was still grappling with the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, his government was keen to develop new areas of cooperation with other countries in various sectors of mutual interest.President Lungu said this yesterday at State House in Lusaka when he received letters of credentials from the three ambassador-designates accredited to Zambia.The three ambassador-designates to Zambia he received letters of credence from were the Sultanate of Oman Mr. Ali Abdullah Salim al Mahruqi, France’s ambassador to Zambia Mr. François Goldbiatt, and Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Zambia Ms. Charity Charamba.Mr Lungu, who welcomed the three envoys to Zambia said his government would continue to engage their respective countries through deliberate enhancement of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.“Your excellencies, although the world economy is still grappling with the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, my government is keen to develop new areas of cooperation with your respective countries in various sectors of mutual interest,” President Lungu said.He said as they commenced their tour of duty, it is his sincere hope that they would dedicate time and energy to exploring and discovering more areas of mutual economic interest and cooperation for the benefit of their respective countries and peoples. Mr Lungu assured them of his government’s support and cooperation as they carry out their important dutiesMeanwhile, Mr Goldbiatt said France remained committed to enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation to help Zambia foster her development process.And Ms Charamba said Zimbabwe appreciates the existing bilateral relations between the two countries and pledged to strengthen them for the benefit of the two peoples.