Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt. Hon. Dr. Nelly B.K. Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA, has stated that the establishment of a Zambia-Serbia Parliamentary Friendship Group would be a significant step towards strengthening Parliamentary relations and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking when Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Zambia, Her Excellency Ms. JasnaZrnovic, paid a courtesy call on her on Wednesday, 20^th May, 2026, at Parliament Buildings, Speaker Mutti said Zambia and Serbia have continued to grow over the years through cooperation in various sectors aimed at promoting national development and improving the welfare of citizens.

She expressed appreciation to the Government of Serbia for its continued support to the Zambian education sector through the Serbian Scholarship Programme.

She said the scholarship programme has contributed significantly to building the capacity of many Zambian students and provide them with opportunities to acquire quality education and skills.

Speaker Mutti further noted that Zambia and Serbia have continued to make progress in agriculture, trade, education, technology and investment, with the aim of driving development and enhancing citizens’ welfare.

And Ambassador Zrnovic echoed the importance of establishing the Parliamentary Friendship Group. She noted that thirty years had passed without a resident Serbian representation in the country.

The Ambassadorthus expressed hope that the establishment of the Parliamentary Friendship Group will materialize soon and that the cooperation between the two countries would continue to grow in the years ahead.

Her Excellency noted Serbia’s historic contribution to Zambia through the construction of key institutions, including the Kafue Gorge, Findeco House, the University Teaching Hospital and the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

She also stated that Zambians have been benefiting from the Serbian scholarships and recently four Zambian students had received scholarships from the Serbian Government named World in Serbia to study in Belgrade and expressed hope that such programmes would continue to expand in the coming years.

The Ambassodor further extended an invitation to Speaker Mutti to participate in a conference jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the National Assembly of Serbia scheduled for June this year.

She said the conference would focus on breaking down gender stereotypes and challenging negative social norms.

The Expo 2027, to be held in Belgrade under the theme “Play for Humanity,” will provide an important platform for collaboration, engagement and strengthened international partnerships, she noted.