Zambia to maintain its ties with EU, UK

The Zambian government said on Monday that it will continue to enjoy good bilateral relations with both the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) despite the latter deciding to pull out of the European body.

Last Thursday, the UK voted to leave the EU during a referendum that has shaked the world. Britain as a whole voted 52 percent to 48 percent to lave while in Scotland 62 percent voted in favor of remaining.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba said Zambia will continue to enjoy a positive and constructive bilateral relationship built on a shared commitment to freedom and democratic values.

"Some of you have called me wanting to understand how the UK's exit from the EU might impact on Zambia's economy and international relations with both the UK and the UK. I wish to assure you that Zambia will continue to enjoy good bilateral relations with both the UK and the EU," he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

According to him, Zambia's cooperation with the EU was anchored on the Cotonou Agreement, a global agreement signed in 2000 between African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States and the EU, adding that the EU has a significant development cooperation program with Zambia amounting to 484 million Euros under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF).

Thus, the EU is still committed to helping Zambia integrate into the world's trading system so that it can benefit from the global economy, he added.

On the UK, he said the cooperation will not change following its exit from the EU, adding that the UK has remained determined to help Zambia reduce inequalities and in prospering the country.

Zambia, he said, will continue working with the UK institutions operating in the country for the country's economic development.
Source:XINHUA