Nikolic, Kalaba on strengthening Serbia-Zambia ties

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba agreed in Belgrade on Thursday that the two countries need to strengthen their bilateral ties and build stronger economic relations.

President Nikolic thanked Zambia for its principled position of not recognizing the independence of Kosovo-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, most of all in military education.

Minister 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.

Photo Tanjug, N. Jovanovic