Zambia, EU Seek to Deepen Economic Cooperation
Zambia and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic cooperation during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela reaffirmed Zambia’s position as a beacon of democracy and encouraged both sides to look ahead while maintaining respect for the rule of law.
President Hakainde Hichilema was represented at the meeting by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe, who led the Zambian delegation.
The two sides agreed to further deepen their partnership through investment, value addition and economic cooperation aligned with Zambia’s Grow Zambia agenda.
The European Union expressed particular interest in Zambia’s role in Africa’s electric-vehicle battery and critical-mineral value chains. The partnership is expected to create opportunities for Zambia to move beyond the export of raw minerals by increasing local processing and value addition.
Zambia also welcomed the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and its development cooperation, which includes budget support of about 110 million euros.
Both sides emphasised the importance of creating stronger economic links through investment and cooperation in areas that can support Zambia’s economic growth and development.
The meeting also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to continued cooperation with Zambia in support of the United Nations Charter, multilateralism and the rules-based international order.
Zambia thanked the EU for deploying an election observation mission during the August elections, which it described as broadly peaceful. Both sides agreed that post-election developments should not divert attention from opportunities to deepen economic cooperation.
The two parties further agreed to continue working together on international peace and security.
This is according to a press statement issued by Namatama Njekwa, First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at Zambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.