Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Honourable Nelly B.K Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA says Zambia and Burundi’s strengthened ties are a testament to the power of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering regional cooperation.
She said this when Burundi’s Ambassador to Zambia, Evelyne Butoyi paid a courtesy call on her on Monday, 2nd December, 2024 at Parliament Buildings.
Speaker Mutti said the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on recent milestones in Zambia-Burundi relations, including President Évariste Ndayishimiye’s visit to Zambia in August and the continued commitment to fostering stronger partnerships through parliamentary exchanges.
Madam Speaker said such interactions between the two nations were instrumental in addressing shared challenges and leveraging opportunities for mutual benefit. She pointed to President Ndayishimiye’s pledge of a 5,000-tonne food donation during his August visit as evidence to the collaborative spirit that exists between the two countries.
“Suffice to state that this relationship has been nurtured and improved through regular interactions between Leaders from our two countries. For example, in August, 2024, the Republican President of Burundi His Excellency, Mr Evariste Ndayishimiye visited Zambia, as a Guest of Honour during the 96th Agricultural and Commercial show which was held in Lusaka,” Speaker Mutti said
Madam Speaker said President Hakainde Hichilema's participation in the COMESA Summit held in Bujumbura in October, where he formally passed the Chairmanship of the regional bloc to President Ndayishimiye, also signified a commitment to regional integration and cooperation.
Ambassador Butoyi expressed her gratitude for the warm reception given to President Ndayishimiye and noted the valuable parliamentary exchanges that have taken place between the two countries.
“The purpose of my presence here is to pay a courtesy call on the RT Honourable Madam Speaker of the National Assembly and to follow up the implementations of the recent bilateral meetings recommendations by our parliament,” the ambassador said.
She added that there are mutual benefits of joint participation in platforms such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Pan-African Parliament.
Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Dr. Nelly Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA (3rd right), poses for a photo with the European Union Ambassador to Zambia, Carolina Stasiak (4th right), alongside the EU Exploratory Mission delegation and staff of the National Assembly.
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