President Hichilema says Zambia, US partnership is highly valued

President Hakainde Hichilema says the Zambia – United States (US) partnership is valued and wants it to be deepened.

The President was speaking during the US congressional summit in Livingstone.

President Hichilema said Zambia wants to underscore her long-standing bilateral relationship with the US.

He said the two countries have worked on their bilateral partnership, regardless of successive administrations in the two countries.

“It is important for us to underscore this enduring partnership that has gone through various administrations. We value this partnership and we would like this partnership to be deepened,” President Hichilema said.

“We do understand the new administration’s thrust on how they want to structure these partnerships with countries across the world.”

The President further said Zambia would like to remain an integral partner of the US.

He added that Zambia’s foreign policy, under the UPND-led government, is anchored on peace, security and stability on one hand and economic and social development on another.

“Where there is instability, it takes away time and resources that are meant for enhancing the economic and social development ticket.

“We hold the view that it is important to have peace, security and stability to anchor economic and social development,” the President said.

He also said for Zambia, areas of health, agriculture and food security are extremely important, just like issues round energy and mining of critical minerals.

“We want to hear from the US congressional group how you see our partnership being curved out of this mutuality,” President Hichilema said.