GOVT CARRY OUT EXTENSIVE REFORMS-HH
By Brian Mwale:
President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says Government will carry out extensive and far reaching reforms that will have a positive impact on the country’s governance system.
The President says the state of the country in terms of democratic governance, economic performance, and upholding of human rights, demands bold action to arrest its decline, which his government inherited.
President HICHILEMA said when he addressed the European Union Parliament in Brussels today, that government will undertake significant electoral reforms that will tackle the weaknesses and structural limitations that the Electoral Commission of Zambia faces
The President, who received a standing ovation after his address, noted that the reforms will include enhancing independence of the electoral commission and transparency to guarantee a level playing field for political participation
He said the reforms, are a response to the extensive recommendations by the EU observer mission and others.
President HICHILEMA said the reforms will also tackle parts of the public order act, which have been abused by previous administrations to limit civic space and prevent civil society and political parties from carrying out their activities.
The President also thanked the EU for coming to his aid when he was incarcerated for 127 days in 2017 while in the opposition and for standing up for Zambia when there was so much political intolerance.
He said his government has since brought to an end political intolerance as citizens are now able to free walk in public places despite belonging to different political parties.
And President HICHILEMA has appealed to the European Union to help Zambia improve access to credit for Small Medium Enterprises.
The President says SMES can be helped through initiatives such as the global Investment package which will lead to increased industrialization, agricultural production, manufacturing, trade and sustainable energy sources..
He said this is the best way of creating meaningful employment , and diversifying the economy.
Speaking when he addressed the European Union Parliament in Brussels today the President said ZAMBIA has the capacity to produce quality goods and services for the European Union and other regional and global markets.
The President says the country therefore seeks favourable trade arrangement with its EU partners.
President HICHILEMA said it is unacceptable that 58 years after independence Zambia exports primarily raw materials despite having abundant wealth of natural resources and immense potential in agriculture.
(This Document is the Property of the Government of the Republic of Zambia)
Republic of Zambia
SPEECH DELIVERED
By HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
IN AN ADDRESS TO
THE EUROPEAN UNION PARLIAMENT,
BRUSSELS , BELGIUM
STATE HOUSE,
LUSAKA
JUNE, 2022
YOUR EXCELLENCY MS. ROBERTA METSOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PARLIAMENT;
HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PARLIAMENT;
DISTINGUISHED LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
INTRODUCTION
GREETINGS TO YOU ALL FROM ZAMBIA.
ALLOW ME, FIRST AND FOREMOST, TO OUR EXPRESS SINCERE CONDOLENCES, ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA AND ON MY OWN BEHALF, ON THE PASSING OF HIS EXCELLENCY MR. DAVID SASSOLI, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE EU PARLIAMENT.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN ZAMBIA’S HISTORY THAT A SITTING PRESIDENT HAS EVER BEEN INVITED TO ADDRESS THE PARLIAMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.
AS THE 7TH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, IT IS NOT ONLY AN IMMENSE PRIVILEGE FOR ME PERSONALLY, BUT ALSO AN HONOUR FOR THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA, TO BE INVITED TO THIS HOUSE AND TO SPEAK BEFORE ITS ESTEEMED MEMBERS.
IT IS A SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE FOR OUR COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AS AN EXEMPLARY DEMOCRACY ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT, AND AS A KEY COOPERATING PARTNER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.
WE THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO DEEPENING OUR ENGAGEMENTS AND COLLABORATION IN THE COMING YEARS, WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN TANGIBLE BENEFITS FOR BOTH THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, AND OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.
MY 2017 INCARCERATION
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
IT IS A PARTICULAR PRIVILEGE FOR ME PERSONALLY TO ADDRESS THIS PARLIAMENT. FOLLOWING MY UNLAWFUL INCARCERATION IN 2017, THE EU PARLIAMENT BOLDLY AND CONSISTENTLY DEMANDED NOT ONLY FOR MY RELEASE, BUT ALSO FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN ZAMBIA, THROUGH AN OFFICIAL RESOLUTION.
THE “RESOLUTION OF 2017 ON ZAMBIA, PARTICULARLY THE CASE OF HAKAINDE HICHILEMA,” WAS A MARK OF TRUE SOLIDARITY AND REAL COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS.
I REMAIN INDEBTED TO YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM, NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF AND MY CO-ACCUSED, BUT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA IN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIMES AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
I THANK YOU MOST SINCERELY FOR THIS.
THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA THANK YOU FOR TAKING A PRINCIPLED POSITION ON THE PROMOTION OF OUR HUMAN RIGHTS IN OUR COUNTRY AND AFRICA.
THE ZAMBIA 2021 ELECTIONS
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
IN ZAMBIA’S GENERAL ELECTIONS HELD LAST YEAR IN AUGUST, THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE STRENGTH AND RESOLVE IN THEIR DETERMINATION TO PRESERVE ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRACY BY VOTING OUT OF OFFICE THE PATRIOTIC FRONT GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT THEN.
IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY DISPLAY OF WILLPOWER AND PEOPLE POWER, IN THE FACE OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP AND POLITICAL INTIMIDATION ONLY COMPARABLE TO THE 1991 ELECTION THAT SAW THE REMOVAL OF UNIP. THESE WERE A PEOPLE DETERMINED TO
HAVE A BETTER LIVELIHOOD FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR LOVED ONES.
THIS WAS NOT MERELY AN ELECTION, BUT A CALL TO ACTION. A CALL FOR CHANGE!
THE YOUTH, WHO MADE UP 56% OF REGISTERED VOTERS, WERE AT THE HEART OF THIS CALL OF CHANGE.
THEY SHOWED LEADERSHIP, COURAGE, AND DETERMINATION AT A TIME WHEN ZAMBIA NEEDED THOSE QUALITIES THE MOST.
ON A CONTINENT WHERE, FAR TOO OFTEN, ELECTIONS TURN VIOLENT, THE PEACEFUL TRANSITION OF POWER FOLLOWING THE ELECTIONS SHOWCASED THE RESILIENCE AND MATURITY OF ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRACY.
THIS IS WHAT ZAMBIA IS KNOWN FOR. THIS IS WHO WE ARE. MAY THIS CONTINUE TO BE ZAMBIA’S LEGACY.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
AS WE REFLECT ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT, I WISH TO ONCE AGAIN EXPRESS SINCERE GRATITUDE TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, WHO TOGETHER WITH OTHERS DEPLOYED A PHYSICAL ELECTORAL OBSERVER MISSION, LED BY AN HONOURABLE MEMBER OF THIS HOUSE, MS. MARIA ARENA.
THE OBSERVER MISSION WAS A CONTINUATION OF THE LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION TO SUPPORTING ZAMBIA’S DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA, I WISH TO PLACE ON RECORD, OUR DEEP SENSE OF GRATITUDE TO THE EU, WHO, ONCE AGAIN , DEMONSTRATED THEIR COMMITMENT TO WALKING ALONGSIDE ZAMBIA IN OUR QUEST FOR DEVELOPMENT.
WE THANK YOU.
HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE & ANTI-CORRUPTION
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
THE ZAMBIA WE INHERITED STOOD ON THE BRINK OF ECONOMIC COLLAPSE – WHERE CORRUPTION, EXCESS AND GREED OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS REIGNED SUPREME.
SHORT-SIGHTED POLICIES, DESIGNED TO EXTRACT MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR THE FEW AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MANY, WERE THE ORDER OF THE DAY.
IN THE ZAMBIA WE INHERITED, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION WAS CURTAILED.
OUR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS, DESIGNED TO ENSURE CHECKS AND BALANCES, WERE COMPROMISED AND REDUCED TO MERE INSTRUMENTS OF DOMINANCE FOR THOSE WHO HELD POWER.
IT IS AGAINST THAT BACKDROP THAT I STAND HERE TO FIRMLY ATTEST THAT THE RULE OF LAW AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ARE PROGRESSIVELY BEING RESTORED IN ZAMBIA.
ZAMBIA’S REPUTATION OF PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IS A SOURCE OF GREAT PRIDE, WHICH OUR ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD.
THE PEACE, STABILITY AND UNITY OF OUR BELOVED NATION IS NOT UP FOR NEGOTIATION, AT ANY COST.
OUR ADMINISTRATION WILL, THEREFORE, ENSURE THAT CIVIL SOCIETY HAS A CONDUCIVE AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OUR COUNTRY.
WE WILL, AND HAVE ALREADY MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS THE MEDIA TO CARRY OUT ITS IMPORTANT WORK IN KEEPING THE PUBLIC INFORMED, AS WELL AS HOLDING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE. THIS IS THE REASON WE HAVE CONSTANTLY REMINDED BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE MEDIA OF THE NEED FOR THEM TO DEMAND EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE AT ALL TIMES, AND WE HAVE GUARANTEED THAT.
A FREE MEDIA IS INDISPENSABLE TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, AND OUR ADMINISTRATION WILL PROTECT THIS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF DEMOCRACY AND NATIONAL DISCOURSE.
IN THIS RESPECT, OUR DEMOCRACY, GOING FORWARD, WILL BE BUILT ON INCLUSION, RATHER THAN EXCLUSION.
EVERY SINGLE ZAMBIAN IS WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNANCE OF OUR COUNTRY. IT IS THE RIGHT OF EVERY ZAMBIAN CITIZEN, AND OUR GOVERNMENT WILL LEAD BY LISTENING TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE. THESE ARE GUARANTEES IN OUR BILL OF RIGHTS.
LEGISLATIVE REFORM
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
THE STATE OF OUR COUNTRY, IN TERMS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE, ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, AND UPHOLDING HUMAN RIGHTS, DEMANDS THAT WE TAKE BOLD ACTION TO ARREST ITS DECLINE, WHICH OUR GOVERNMENT INHERITED.
THIS IS WHY WE HAVE PLACED REFORM AT THE VERY TOP OF OUR AGENDA.
WE ARE COMMITTED, AS A GOVERNMENT, TO CARRYING OUT EXTENSIVE AND FAR-REACHING REFORMS THAT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON OUR GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS AND MECHANISMS.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
AS PART OF THESE REFORMS, AND IN RESPONSE TO THE EXTENSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE EU OBSERVER MISSION AND OTHERS, OUR GOVERNMENT WILL UNDERTAKE SIGNIFICANT ELECTORAL
REFORMS THAT WILL TACKLE INHERENT WEAKNESSES IN THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK, AND ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL LIMITATIONS THAT THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA FACES.
THIS INCLUDES ENHANCING INDEPENDENCE OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION, WHERE TRANSPARENCY IS GUARANTEED, TO ENSURE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ACROSS ALL TIERS OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.
WE WILL ALSO TACKLE COMPONENTS OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT, WHICH HAVE UNFORTUNATELY BEEN ABUSED BY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS TO LIMIT THE CIVIC SPACE AND PREVENT CIVIL SOCIETY AND POLITICAL PARTIES FROM CARRYING OUT THEIR ACTIVITIES.
OUR YOUTH
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
AS AN ADMINISTRATION, WE REGARD OUR ELECTION NOT AS A TRIUMPH, BUT AS A CHALLENGE.
OUR CHALLENGE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS THAT WILL SEE A PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR ZAMBIA’S COMING GENERATIONS.
WE MUST TAP INTO AND ENHANCE THE INNOVATION AND WONDER OF THE YOUTH, WHO HOLD ENORMOUS POTENTIAL IN DEVELOPING NEW AND INVENTIVE RESPONSES TO THE CHALLENGES WE FACE.
OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE OUR FUTURE.
IT IS IN THEM THAT WE SHALL INVEST, IN THE COMING YEARS, TO REBUILD OUR ECONOMY AND REPAIR THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF OUR COUNTRY.
THIS IS WHY OUR ADMINISTRATION HAS MADE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION COMPLETELY FREE, WHICH HAS GIVEN
ACCESS TO CHILDREN WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY DENIED AN EQUAL START IN LIFE. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE ALLOCATED FINANCING FOR YOUTH INITIATIVES IN OUR REFORMED AND EXPANDED CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF).
ECONOMY & ZAMBIA – EU COOPERATION
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ZAMBIAN ECONOMY, OVER THE LAST DECADE, HAS BEEN ON A DOWNWARD TRAJECTORY. RISING COSTS OF BASIC COMMODITIES, FUELED BY HIGH INFLATION AND POOR ECONOMIC POLICIES, HAVE LEFT OUR ECONOMY ON ITS KNEES.
OUR COUNTRY, WITH ITS ABUNDANT WEALTH OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND IMMENSE AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL, EXPORTS PRIMARILY RAW MATERIALS.
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE 58 YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE.
REPAIRING, RESTORING AND REVIVING OUR ECONOMY WILL, THEREFORE, BE THE MAIN MARKER OF OUR PERFORMANCE AS A GOVERNMENT IN SERVICE TO OUR PEOPLE. THIS IS OUR PRIORITY, AND THE BEDROCK UPON WHICH ALL OF OUR DEVELOPMENTAL EFFORTS WILL BE BUILT.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO BECOMING A MORE PRODUCTIVE AND INDUSTRIOUS COUNTRY.
ZAMBIA HAS THE CAPACITY TO PRODUCE QUALITY GOODS AND SERVICES FOR THE EU, OTHER REGIONAL AND GLOBAL MARKETS. WE, THEREFORE, SEEK FAVORABLE TRADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH OUR EU PARTNERS.
SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) ARE CRUCIAL IN THIS REGARD, AND CAN BE PART OF THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF OUR ECONOMY GOING FORWARD.
WE LOOK TO YOU, OUR PARTNERS, TO WORK WITH US TO ESTABLISH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PACKAGES THAT AID RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT,
TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS THAT WILL CREATE NEW AND SUSTAINABLE ZAMBIAN SMES.
WE LOOK TO THE EU TO HELP US TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CREDIT FOR SMES, THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE GLOBAL INVESTMENT PACKAGE, WHICH WILL LEAD TO INCREASED INDUSTRIALIZATION, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, MANUFACTURING, TRADE, AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOURCES.
THIS IS THE SUREST AND MOST SUSTAINABLE WAY OF CREATING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT, DIVERSIFYING THE ECONOMY, AND ADVANCING THE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF OUR PEOPLE.
WE ARE ENCOURAGED BY THE FIRST EVER ZAMBIA – EU ECONOMIC FORUM RECENTLY HELD IN LUSAKA, UNDER THE THEME “ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION THROUGH GREEN GROWTH’’.
THIS IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENT, WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER ENTREPRENEURS, CORPORATE INSTITUTIONS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND INNOVATORS FROM BOTH ZAMBIA AND THE EU, PROVIDED A PLATFORM FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO EXPLORE POTENTIAL AREAS OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT.
WE EXPECT THIS TO BE AN ANNUAL EVENT IN ORDER TO RECALIBRATE, SCALE UP, AND BROADEN THE SCOPE OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITIES OF ZAMBIA AND THE EU.
THIS IS IN LINE WITH OUR RECOGNITION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS THE KEY DRIVER OF OUR ECONOMY, THIS IS A CRUCIAL PART OF OUR GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO REPAIR, RESTORE AND REVIVE ZAMBIA’S ECONOMY.
OUR GOVERNMENT WISHES TO LEVERAGE ON THESE INITIAL STEPS, AND ENSURE THAT RED TAPE AND OTHER BARRIERS TO INVESTMENT ARE SYSTEMATICALLY REMOVED TO IMPROVE THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS.
OUR ECONOMY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS. ZAMBIA IS BACK IN BUSINESS. AS YOU WOULD SAY IN FOOTBALL, WE ARE BACK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
FOOD INSECURITY & CLIMATE CHANGE
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
AS THE WORLD FACES CRITICAL SHORTAGES OF KEY AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE, AND AS WE WITNESS THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF FOOD INSECURITY IN ALL REGIONS OF AFRICA, AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. ZAMBIA IS WELL SUITED AND AIMS TO BE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO ADDRESSING THIS CRISIS.
IN THIS REGARD, I AM PLEASED TO NOTE THAT ZAMBIA AND THE EU HAVE INCREASINGLY COLLABORATED IN AGRICULTURAL ENDEAVOURS AND I URGE MORE COLLABORATION IN THIS IMPORTANT SECTOR.
ZAMBIA HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE SOLUTION TO FOOD INSTABILITY IN OUR REGION, AND WE CALL ON THE EU TO WORK WITH US IN THIS IMPORTANT ENDEAVOUR.
IT IS CRUCIAL THAT ZAMBIA RAPIDLY SCALES UP ITS PRODUCTION OF FOOD COMMODITIES, IN ORDER TO SERVE THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL, CONTINENTAL AND GLOBAL MARKETS. AS A GOVERNMENT, WE UNDERSTAND THIS NEED AND HAVE PLACED IT AS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY PLAN.
WE URGE YOU, OUR EUROPEAN PARTNERS, TO COME ON BOARD AND EXPLORE THE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOINT INVESTMENT IN ZAMBIA’S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR.
AS WE WORK TO INCREASE OUR AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT, WE ARE COGNIZANT OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO SUSTAINABLY.
THIS IS WHY OUR GOVERNMENT IS TAKING CONCRETE STEPS TO HARNESS ZAMBIA’S POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP RENEWABLE ENERGY AS WELL AS SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE TO HELP MITIGATE THE DEVASTATING IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
WE HAVE CREATED THE FIRST EVER MINISTRY OF GREEN ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT, TO LEAD ZAMBIA’S GREEN TRANSITION, AND I KNOW WE STAND TO LEARN A LOT FROM THE EU IN THIS AREA.
WE ARE KEEN ON LEVERAGING INVESTMENT IN THESE AREAS THROUGH JOINT VENTURES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE SO THAT OUR LOCAL GREEN ECONOMY, THROUGH ITS EARLY STAGES, CAN RAPIDLY GROW AND ACHIEVE THE POTENTIAL IT SURELY HAS.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
IN PURSUIT OF OUR ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION, WE LOOK TO COOPERATING WITH OUR PARTNERS IN EUROPE – THE EUROPEAN UNION AS A WHOLE – AS WELL AS BILATERALLY WITH INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES.
WHILE WE APPRECIATE DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT, WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE PARTNERSHIPS, GREATER INVESTMENT AND TRADE. THIS IS THE MOST SUSTAINABLE WAY TO WORK TOGETHER, AND ZAMBIA IS UP TO THE TASK IN THIS AREA.
MIGRATION ISSUES
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
IN ENHANCING COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP ON VARIOUS ISSUES, AFRICA AND THE EU MUST TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PRESENCE OF THE SKILLED HUMAN CAPITAL AVAILABLE ON BOTH CONTINENTS.
AFRICA AND EUROPE HAVE A LOT IN COMMON, AND OUR PEOPLE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER.
EASING THE MOVEMENT OF LABOUR BETWEEN OUR CONTINENTS WILL, THEREFORE, CONTRIBUTE TO PEER-TO-PEER KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE, IMPROVE THE FLOW OF INFORMATION, AND BRING ABOUT NEW INNOVATIONS.
PUTTING IN PLACE FORMAL AGREEMENTS, AND EASING THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE BETWEEN OUR REGIONS, WILL ALSO ASSIST IN REDUCING ILLEGAL AND NEGATIVE MIGRATION.
FOR A LONG TIME NOW, IT HAS BEEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR AFRICANS TO ACCESS THE EU THAN IT HAS BEEN THE OTHER WAY AROUND. IN THIS GLOBALIZED AND INTERCONNECTED WORLD, AND AS WE STRIVE TO ENHANCE OUR PARTNERSHIP, I WISH TO REQUEST THAT THE EU CONSIDERS REVIEWING ITS VISA POLICY FOR ZAMBIANS.
THE ENORMOUS POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR TWO CONTINENTS WAS MADE CLEAR DURING THE RECENTLY HELD 6TH AU – EU SUMMIT. WE MUST BUILD ON THESE DISCUSSIONS, AND TAKE CONCRETE STEPS TO ACTUALIZE THE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE MADE.
AT BILATERAL LEVEL, THE ZAMBIA – EU POLITICAL DIALOGUE, HELD ON 9TH JUNE, 2022 UNDERSCORED OUR RENEWED COMMITMENT TO GOVERNING IN A PREDICTABLE AND TRANSPARENT MANNER, TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC STABILITY THAT WILL ATTRACT INCREASED FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT, TRADE, AND COLLABORATION WITH THE EU.
WE STAND READY TO CHANNEL OUR RESOURCES AND ENERGIES TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE BENEFITS THAT ARE READY TO BE UNLOCKED FOR OUR PEOPLE, IN COLLABORATING WITH YOU.
I REPEAT, WE ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. ZAMBIA IS READY TO TRANSACT.
INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
AS WE STRIVE TO ATTAIN VARIOUS ECONOMIC TARGETS, WE ARE COMMITTED TO ARRESTING THE RAMPANT INFLATION THAT THREATENS TO ERODE OUR CURRENCY AND THAT MAKES THE COST OF LIVING UNBEARABLY HIGH FOR THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE.
WE ARE FURTHER COMMITTED TO PRUDENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN ORDER TO CREATE A MORE STABLE MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT.
BUT FIXING OUR ECONOMY URGENTLY REQUIRES TOUGH AND BOLD DECISIONS TO BE MADE.
IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE LONG AWAITED FIRST MEETING BETWEEN ZAMBIA’S OFFICIAL CREDITORS COMMITTEE AND THE IMF, ORGANIZED UNDER THE G20 COMMON FRAMEWORK, WAS HELD ON 16TH JUNE 2022 TO COMMENCE THE URGENT PROCESS OF ADDRESSING OUR DEBT CRISIS WITH OUR VARIOUS CREDITORS.
FOLLOWING THIS IMPORTANT MEETING AND OTHER FOLLOW UP EFFORTS WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL RESTRUCTURE AND STABILIZE OUR DEBT SITUATION AND BE ABLE TO CHANNEL
RESOURCES TOWARDS PRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
WE, THEREFORE, WISH TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO THE CO-CHAIRS, FRANCE AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, FOR CONVENING THIS MEETING. OVERALL CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE EU IN OUR DEBT RESTRUCTURING EFFORTS IS ESSENTIAL AND APPRECIATED.
PEACE & SECURITY
HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
ZAMBIA HAS BEEN BASTION OF PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION, AND BEYOND, SINCE ITS INDEPENDENCE.
WE AIM TO MAINTAIN THIS DISTINGUISHED REPUTATION, AS WE CONTINUE TO LEAD AND PARTICIPATE IN EFFORTS TO RESTORE PEACE IN THE TROUBLED REGIONS OF OUR CONTINENT.
ZAMBIA REMAINS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ONGOING OPERATIONS TO RESTORE STABILITY IN THE CABO DELGADO REGION IN MOZAMBIQUE, AND IN THE EASTERN REGION OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. WE ARE COMMITTED TO THESE EFFORTS AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK FOR PEACE IN OUR COUNTRY AND NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES.
AS THE WORLD GRAPPLES WITH INSTABILITY IN VARIOUS REGIONS, WE WISH TO EXPRESS, MOST SINCERELY, OUR GOVERNMENT’S CONCERN REGARDING THE ONGOING WAR IN UKRAINE.
IT IS TRAGIC AND HEARTBREAKING TO WITNESS THE THOUSANDS OF LIVES LOST AND THE MILLIONS DISPLACED AS A RESULT OF AN ALTOGETHER AVOIDABLE CONFLICT.
WHILE WE STAND BY ALL THOSE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THIS WAR, BOTH IN UKRAINE AND NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, THERE HAVE BEEN FAR REACHING CONSEQUENCES, PARTICULARLY ON PRICES OF FOOD, FUEL, FERTILIZERS AND OTHER COMMODITIES. ZAMBIA AND THE CONTINENT HAVE NOT BEEN SPARED.
WE, THEREFORE, CATEGORICALLY CONDEMN WAR, IN UKRAINE AND ELSEWHERE, AND WE CONTINUE, AS WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY, TO URGE RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO PURSUE A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT.
AS I STATED IN MY MAIDEN ADDRESS TO THE AFRICAN UNION ASSEMBLY IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, “INSTABILITY ANYWHERE, IS INSTABILITY EVERYWHERE”. WE MUST, THEREFORE, CHANNEL ALL
NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE RESOURCES TOWARDS RESOLVING CONFLICTS IN ALL REGIONS OF THE WORLD. WE SHOULD ALL FOCUS ON IMPROVING LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE EVERYWHERE IN OUR INTERCONNECTED WORLD.
CONCLUSION
IN CONCLUSION, HONOURABLE MEMBERS, I WISH TO EXPRESS, ONCE MORE, PROFOUND GRATITUDE FOR THE SUPPORT RENDERED TO ME PERSONALLY AND TO THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA DURING THE DIFFICULT TIMES WE FACED IN RECENT YEARS.
WE ALSO WISH TO THANK THE EU PARLIAMENT FOR THE INCREDIBLE HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE OF ADDRESSING THIS ESTEEMED HOUSE TODAY.
ZAMBIA’S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EU IS BUILT ON STRONG FOUNDATIONS OF MUTUAL RESPECT, SHARED VALUES, AND BELIEF IN THE CORE TENETS OF DEMOCRACY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING THIS PARTNERSHIP SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE YEARS, AND WE ARE CONFIDENT OF THE BENEFITS THAT OUR JOINT EFFORTS WILL SURELY YIELD FOR OUR PEOPLE IN ZAMBIA AND EU.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION.
The post GOVT CARRY OUT EXTENSIVE REFORMS-HH appeared first on .