Defence Minister Davies Chama has called for enhanced collaboration between Zambia and Turkey under the framework of the proposed Defence Cooperation Agreement between the two countries.
Mr. Chama said enhanced defence cooperation with Turkey is timely and in line with Government’s agenda to modernise the Zambia Defence Force as well as promotion of international peace and security through increased participation in peace-keeping initiatives.
The Minister was speaking to Turkey’s International News Agency, Anadolu, shortly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially opened the 14th International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul .
“Turkey is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and I have no doubt in my mind that the products at this fair are of high quality. We need to see how we can develop our defence industries together with Turkey and enhance defence cooperation as we secure the world and the African continent to provide peace and tranquility so that we can co-exist as peaceful nations,” Mr. Chama said.
The Minister said Turkey and Zambia share similar aspirations in the promotion of international peace and security.
He expressed happiness that the Attorney General has cleared the draft Defence Cooperation Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation with Turkey in the field of Defence Industries.
Mr. Chama further said the invitation to attend the 14th IDEF by his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, will help to cement relations and defence cooperation between Zambia and Turkey.
Mr. Chama added that the high-level reciprocal visits by President Edgar Lungu and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in July last year had enhanced the existing warm bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Minister said it was gratifying that agreements signed during President Erdogan’s historic visit to Zambia were now bearing fruit with the introduction of a direct flight between Lusaka and Istanbul by Turkish Airlines.
Earlier, Mr Chama was among dignitaries invited to attend IDEF, which was officially opened by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
President Erdogan later led Mr. Chama and other dignitaries on a conducted tour of the exhibition of latest state-of-the-art equipment, materials and systems produced in the fields of defense and security.
The 14th IDEF, which opened today and ends April 3, 2019, has attracted over 1,000 Turkish and international exhibitors.
Mr. Chama is today expected to hold bilateral talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, according to a statement issued to the media by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Ankara, Turkey Jerry Munthali.
He there look for more brown envelopes from corrupt regimes via defence contracts!!
I can only imagine a corrupt collaboration. Davies Chama and his corrupt PF will buy 2nd hand military equipment from Turkey at inflated prices like they always do
Does Zambia need Defence force?
Really terrifying, fornicating with Saudi Arabia and Turkey of all people?
Why not fore-play with Iceland, Norway and beautiful Mauritius?
I can only imagine a corrupt collaboration. Davies Chama and his corrupt PF will buy 2nd hand military equipment from Turkey at inflated prices like they always do
am not defence expert but his this man alive?
have a very strong feeling Davies Chama will be running mate for ECL. Below is analysis of other candidates
DAVIS MWILA – He would also want to be running mate but he is too dull.
DORA SILIYA – As ECL wants a female Vice President she could be in the running, the only problem is that she is not true PF so it would be a betrayal of genuine PF members.
MARGARET MWANAKATWE – Apart from her drinking habits I think can do the Veep job
GEOFREY BWALYA MWAMBA (GBM)- He is not presidential material, very unstable and there would be an uproar for PF members after he rejoined the party just recently; MILES SAMPA – He is the rightful winner of the PF nomination but was dribbled, sadly this man is too childish and very unstable; BRIAN MUSHIMBA – For me, he would be the best candidate, clever…
CONTINUEED… educated and has a vision. He is young but Nevers was Veep at 40. He is just tainted by using government resources to fix his broken hand after a careless night of drinking; VINCENT MWALE – Another person who is likeable and seems reasonable, the problem with him again is not originally PF; CHISHMBA KAMBWILI – Painful as it sounds CK as Veep would ensure a PF win because CKs base is disgruntled PF members. CK as veep would keeo HH out of state house. ECL must take a bitter pill and accept him; HARRY KALABA – Sadly this person while a man of integrity has not got any clout and worse his association with fake Prophet Bushiri is scary
STEPHEN KAMPYONGO this one would be a disaster, the way he has prevented the opposition from holding rallies, in power he would ban all opposition parties. CHITOTELA this one would invite the mafia to come and do business, he is corrupt but still a Minister, ECL might shock us and nominate him. EDITH NAWAKWI, this would actually be a popular decision as the only woman in the opposition. She did very well as Finance Minister and has the maturity to be Veep.