The Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Her Excellency Mrs Valentina Matvienko has said that co-operation with Zambia is one of Russia’s important priorities.  Speaking during the address to the National Assembly of Zambia on Tuesday, 18th February, 2020, Mrs Matvienko said Zambia enjoys a long history of co-operation with the Russian Federation, with the Soviet Union being the first country to recognise Zambia’s independence. She added that, six days after Zambia gained its independence, Russia had already started to provide all the necessary assistance and support in economic development, personnel training and building a sovereign independent state.

The address also covered a number of avenues for boosting cooperation between the two countries such as the development of cultural and humanitarian ties as well as building partnerships in education and personnel training.  To this end, Mrs Matvienko indicated that if Zambia is interested in increasing the number of Russian State scholarships for Zambian students, Russia was ready to consider and satisfy the request.  Further, it was pointed out that Russia is training Zambian personnel in areas such as nuclear energy and that Zambia is planning to implement a large-scale project to build a Russia-Zambia Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology which is a new level of co-operation in the area of high tech.

Mrs Matvienko further stated in her address that, she had proposed to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia to start the visa-free regime and abolish visa formalities for Russian citizens coming to Zambia and for Zambian citizens travelling to Russia.

Prior to addressing Members of Parliament, Mrs Matvienko held discussions with His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia on Tuesday, 18th February, 2020 during which the President stated that the high level visits between Zambia and the Russian Federation such as Mrs Matvienko's visit is a demonstration of the warm relations that exist between the two countries.  The President added that the visit was a build up from bilateral talks with his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin which were held on the margins of the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, in July, 2018, when the two leaders committed to scaling up diplomatic ties between Zambia and Russia in order to strengthen economic cooperation.

Mrs Matvienko’s visit also included a courtesy call on the First President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Kenneth David Kaunda at his residence and laying of wreaths at the mausoleums of the former Presidents of the Republic of Zambia.

The Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Her Excellency Mrs Valentina Matviyenko was in Zambia on a reciprocal visit following the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Patrick Matibini’s visit to Russia in April, 2018.  Mrs Matvienko who was accompanied by Senators from the Federation Council and other Government officials was on her first foreign visit for this year.  Mrs Matvienko was in the country for three days.