Zambia has signed a Joint communiqué with Paraguay to formally establish diplomatic relations.
And Zambia has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Secretariat on behalf of Commonwealth Youth Programme Africa Centre.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, signed the Joint Communiqué with Paraguay on behalf of Zambia while his counterpart Paraguay Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hector Lacognata signed on behalf of his country.
Mr. Pande also signed the MoU with the Commonwealth on behalf of the Commonwealth Youth Programme Africa Centre while Commonwealth Secretary-General Karmalesh Sharma signed on behalf of the world body.
This is according to a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today (Friday) by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Permanent mission to UN, Moses Walubita.
And speaking at the signing of the Zambia – Paraguay joint communiqué Mr. Pande said Zambia attached great importance to relations with Paraguay and applauded the support the two countries have continued to give each other at the international fora such as the UN.
Mr. Pande stated that Zambia and Paraguay have shared cordial relations since the former’s independence in 1964 and also thanked his counterpart for showing commitment to formally establish diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He highlighted the importance Zambia attached to South-South cooperation adding that the signing of the communiqué would also be the beginning of enhanced cooperation between the two countries.
The Minister has since called for the establishment of the Zambia – Paraguay framework of general cooperation in the economic and social sectors.
And Mr. Lacognata said his country had embarked on establishing diplomatic relations with African countries where they have so far established ties with 15 countries on the continent.
Mr Lacognata added that he believed that the two countries would cooperate in many areas and had since invited Mr. Pande to the 200th independence anniversary celebrations in May next year.
Paraguay which is a South American country shares borders with Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast and Bolivia to the northwest
And during the signing of the MoU with the Commonwealth, Mr. Pande commended the role the Commonwealth regional Youth Centre for Africa based in Lusaka, was playing in developing, running and coordinating youth programmes and activities for the continent.
Mr. Pande emphasised the importance that Zambia attached to relations with the Commonwealth in general and to Commonwealth Youth programmes Africa Centre in particular.
He also told to Mr. Sharma that Zambia was satisfied with the friendly cooperation and support that the Commonwealth continued to offer the country, adding that Zambia was willing to work with the world body to boost ties to better prospects
The Minister also acknowledged the assistance the organisation had continued to render to the Zambian Government over the years in many areas such as trade, finance, agriculture, small and medium enterprises development, information and communication technologies (ICTs), media, youth and gender matters
Mr. Sharma also hailed the relationship, Zambia and his organisation had continued to enjoy.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Karmalesh Sharma had visited Zambia last month where he held talks with President Rupiah Banda and also other meetings with ministers and the youths
Mr. Pande is in US where he is attending the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
ZANIS
