Zambia, Croatia call for enhanced socio-economic, political ties

Zambia has called for enhanced collaboration with Croatia in the area of economic cooperation.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Italy, Patricia Kondolo, who is also accredited to Croatia on a non-residential basis, said the government was ready to partner with Croatia and the private sector in areas such as renewable energy and agri-business, among others.

Kondolo made these remarks when she presented her Letters of Credence to Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, conveying warm greetings from President Hakainde Hichilema to his Croatian counterpart.

This is according to a statement issued by Pamela Mulenga, First Secretary for Press in Rome, Italy, in Lusaka on Wednesday.

“Economic cooperation has been identified by the Zambian government as key to realising the country’s development agenda and thereby improving the livelihood of its people,” Kondolo said.

The Ambassador highlighted the challenges Zambia was experiencing as a result of climate change, which had contributed to the country’s drought.

She noted that this had led to food and energy insecurity but emphasized government’s resolve to invest in renewable energy, agri-business, processing, tourism, manufacturing and other economic sectors.

“The joint membership to the United Nations provides a platform for enhanced collaboration, especially support on various issues,” Kondolo noted.

She highlighted other areas of focus, including climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and mutual support for each other’s candidacies to various positions within the UN system.

Neven Pelicaric, Adviser to the Croatian President for Foreign and European Policy, stated that his government maintained an open policy on collaboration.

He encouraged Ambassador Kondolo to explore key areas of cooperation within various sectors of the Croatian economy.

Pelicaric also praised Zambia for the unity it continues to exhibit in cultural diversity, which he said was important for enhancing understanding between peoples.

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