Zambia Encourages Netherlands To Re-Open Embassy

The Zambia ambassador to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg has presented Letters of Credence to the King of the Netherlands, signalling a new era of diplomacy between the two nations.

The Zambian Embassy in Brussels’ First Secretary for Press, Hambaya Munang’andu, published a statement about the Zambian ambassador Mundanda and King Willem-Alexander’s meeting.

Sylvester Mundanda presented the Letters of Credence to King Willem-Alexander at Noordeinde Palace in The Hague. The ceremony, Mr. Mundanda told journalists, was part of Zambia’s efforts to renew and improve bilateral relations with the Netherlands.

The ambassador also said he was optimistic that the Netherlands would consider re-opening its embassy in Zambia. He asked that the Netherlands implement a visa waiver for diplomats visiting the nation, in a similar manner to the visa waiver for European Union nations’ ambassadors visiting Zambia.

Mr. Mundanda thanked the Netherlands’ support to Zambia’s agricultural sector. He called for Dutch involvement in various projects in a number of sectors, including health, manufacturing and IT.

Mr. Mundanda cited an agricultural machinery assembly plant geared towards small holdings farmers, an integrated IT system for Zambian ministries to better synergise, and a matrix for mutual collaboration between the Zambian and Dutch chambers of commerce.

King Willem-Alexander noted these projects, and also acknowledged Zambia’s proposed investment in wind turbine projects with the Netherlands.

The King reminisced about a visit to Victoria Falls in his early years; Mr. Mundanda invited him to visit Zambia once again.