By DELPHINE ZULU –
MALAWIAN President Peter Mutharika has described his visit to Zambia as fruitful and positions the two neighbouring countries on a renewed path of deeper bilateral ties.
President Mutharika was in the country for a two-day State visit, which included holding bilateral discussions with President Edgar Lungu and officially opening this year’s Agriculture and Commercial Show in Lusaka.
Professor Mutharika also hailed the Zambian people for the continued hospitality towards Malawi and other African countries.
“It was a very good visit I enjoyed myself very much with my brother (President Lungu), we had very nice discussions, I want to thank you very much my brother the President and the First Lady for the wonderful time and also the people of Zambia for the wonderful time,” he said.
Prof Mutharika said this during departure for Malawi at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka yesterday where he was seen off by President Lungu.
Prof Mutharika said Zambia and Malawi would continue to enjoy cordial relations due to the duo’s long time friendly relations.

. Kalaba

Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba said in an interview that the visit by the Malawian President was as a result of Mr Lungu’s recent visit to Malawi to celebrate that country’s Independence.
He said Zambia could not afford to operate in isolation and that if Zambia was to receive more African countries’ President Lungu would also do the same to others.
“His visit means both countries are forging stronger ties and it works in favour of the duo, Zambia and Malawi share some boarder and historical ties in a very long time, we are one people and share almost everything with Malawians, the more we are closer the more it works good for us,” Mr Kalaba said.
He said both countries were focusing on industrialisation as a key factor for economic emancipation which could be attained through high level interactions with other countries.
Mr Kalaba said those criticising President Lungu’s travels should be forgiven as they did not understand the implications of diplomatic relationships as well as international relations.
“The truth of the matter is that if Zambia wants to be reached, it should also reach out to others, Prof Mutharika came because Zambia went there. Countries benefit from one another, it is difficult for Zambia to operate in isolation,” he said.
Mr Kalaba said Zambia needed to be exposed to the outside world and other countries because there were many things it needed to improve in terms of economic growth.