Top Serbian officials, Zambian FM hope to boost cooperation

Top Serbian officials, Zambian FM hope to boost cooperation

Vucic "thanked the Zambian foreign minister for his country's principled stance of not recognizing the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo."

The two officials stressed that opportunities should be found for development of economic cooperation and trade.

Kalaba called on Serbian companies to take part in the process of industrialization of Zambia and pointed to opportunities for cooperation in the mining, agriculture and military industry.

Vucic said that the two governments should work together to prepare an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, as that would boost economic cooperation between the two countries.

The Zambian minister also met with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, when they "agreed that the two countries need to strengthen their bilateral ties and build stronger economic relations."

Nikolic "thanked Zambia for its principled position of not recognizing the independence of Kosovo and Metohija, unilaterally declared by the ethnic Albanians living in this Serbian province."

Zambia can count on Serbia's support in the promotion of its objectives in the international arena, specifically regarding the United Nations Security Council, he added.

Nikolic "pointed out that Serbia wants to intensify its economic cooperation with Zambia," noting that the country has much to offer, particularly in the sectors of agriculture and construction.

Serbia is also open to cooperation in security and student exchange programs, above all in military education.

Kalaba said that Zambia "would like to learn from Serbia how to utilize its own natural resources in the best possible way." He also conveyed a message from Zambia's President Edgar Lungu who invited Nikolic to visit Zambia, the Serbian president's media relations office said.

Agriculture

Serbian professionals working at research institutes could significantly contribute to development of the agriculture in Zambia, Zambia's Foreign Minister Harry Kalaba said in Belgrade on Thursday.

Kalaba met with the ministry's State Secretary Zoran Rajic and Assistant Minister for International Cooperation Milanka Davidovic and discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of agriculture.

The talks placed an emphasis on ways in which Serbian professionals can share their knowledge with Zambian colleagues, said the ministry.

The officials also considered a possible increase in the trade in agricultural produce, which has so far been modest in scope.

The representatives of the Serbian ministry of agriculture invited Zambia's delegation to the Agricultural Fair, which will take place in Novi Sad from May 9 to 15, "which would be an opportunity to resume talks on the possible cooperation."