President Hichilema Meets With EU Council President

President Hichilema has met with European Union (EU) Council President Charles Michel after arriving in Brussels, Belgium to address the EU Parliament.

Writing on his Facebook page, the President said he and Mr Michel “discussed the need for enhanced partnerships in key areas of trade and investment between Zambia and Europe because this is key to us and a path to sustainable development in place of aid.”

The President continued that, “unlocking some barriers is paramount as we are in a hurry to see Zambian products on the international market and eventually turn our country into a production house in order to create and sustain jobs.”

President Hichilema is due to address the EU Parliament later today – the first time a sitting Zambian President has ever been invited to speak. During his speech he is expected to call for a deepened trading relationship between the EU and Zambia, as well as push for the EU to relax visa restrictions and help advocate for a restructuring of Zambia’s debts.  

Since taking office, the New Dawn government has prioritised increasing trade with the EU as a way of bolstering Zambian businesses. In April, the country sent its first consignment of 37 tons of Avocados to the EU after meeting the phytosanitary requirements to export fruit to Europe for the first time.

While in Brussels, President Hichilema has also met with EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen as well as a group of Zambian expats living in Belgium. 

Later in the trip the President will hold bilateral meetings with Werner Hoyer, President of the European Investment Bank and Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Commissioner for Trade.

This  evening he departs for Kigali in Rwanda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.