ĦĦLUSAKA, Nov. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- The European Union (EU) has Monday been called
upon to help Zambia in diversifying her developmental sectors to improve the
food security and create jobs.
ĦĦĦĦZambian President Levy Mwanawasa said the EU should help Zambia's efforts
in diversifying the agriculture, tourism and other sectors to improve the
serious food security currently facing the country.
ĦĦĦĦMwanawasa was speaking at the State House when he received credentials from
Henry Bert Sprietsma, EU ambassador in Zambia.
ĦĦĦĦ"I call upon the EU to support efforts of Zambia in diversification
especially in agriculture, tourism and all other sectors to improve the food
security and create jobs. I solicit the continued support of the EU to Zambia's
economy," he said.
ĦĦĦĦMining is presently the backbone of the Zambian economy. The country
derives 80 percent of its foreign earnings from it and itscontribution to the
gross domestic product (GDP) is at 13 percent and formal employment stands at 15
percent.
ĦĦĦĦMwanawasa said the EU represented one of Zambia's largest economic partners
and therefore paid tribute to the trading body for its support towards
mitigating the hunger situation.
ĦĦĦĦHe said the EU recently gave Zambia financial support to buy 33,000 tons of
non-genetically modified food, an indication of the EU's willingness to assist
Zambia.
ĦĦĦĦ"I desire to see greater cooperation between Zambia and the European
Union," Mwanawasa said.
ĦĦĦĦFor his part, Sprietsma said the EU was committed to maintaining the
relationship existing between Zambia and the EU.
ĦĦĦĦHe said Zambia was a model for many developing countries in strengthening
of cooperation with the EU.
ĦĦĦĦBefore coming to Zambia, Sprietsma was EU ambassador in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Enditem
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