. Malanji

By HELLEN TEMBO –
THE European Union (EU) is currently developing seven million Euros electoral reform programme for the 2021 elections to promote wider participation of people in a credible and transparent electoral process.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Malanji has apologised to the diplomatic corps in Zambia for the attacks on the United Nations (UN) country representative Janet Rogan by the United Party for National Development (UPND).
EU Ambassador to Zambia Alessandro Mariani said the EU would continue to stand by Zambia in the process of implementing reforms in respect of democratic principles, human rights, rule of law and good governance.
Mr Mariani said this during the 2018 Zambia/EU political dialogue at Twangale Park in Lusaka yesterday.
He said the EU was putting together a new € 7 million electoral reform programme ahead of the 2021 general election and had extended its post-electoral support to the Electoral Commission of Zambia by one year while considering further extending it up to the end of this year for the implementation of the electoral observation mission.
He said a prerequisite for a successful reform process was that the reforms should be subjected to widespread consultations involving not only political parties but also civil society.
And Mr Malanji apologised to the diplomatic corps for the attacks by UPND on Ms Rogan.
He said Zambia respected the diplomatic corps and would continue partnering with it on various issues.
Mr Malanji said peace, security and rule of law were important part of the co-existence as humanity and continued to be fundamental prerequisites for sustainable development.
He reiterated Zambia’s continued commitment to contribute to continental and regional initiatives fostering peace and stability in countries experiencing conflict in Africa.
He thanked the EU for sustained support to Zambia’s development agenda to raise the living standards of its people.
Mr Malanji said the EU remained a strong and reliable partner for Zambia and the synergies developed would yield positive results on shared global challenges including promoting sustainable development, tackling poverty and inequalities and addressing climate change.