Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday began a three-day official visit to Zambia as part of a tour of southern Africa that has so far seen him visit Mozambique.
The Italian president was welcomed at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport late Wednesday by Zambia’s Foreign Minister Stanley Kakubo.
According to a statement from Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mattarella is set to hold bilateral talks with President Hakainde Hichilema before addressing the National Assembly of Zambia on Thursday.
The talks with Hichilema are expected to focus on issues of mutual interest at bilateral, regional and international levels, the ministry said.
The Italian leader is on a mission to expand Rome’s economic ties with African countries and this week met Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi during which they discussed strengthening cooperation in the area of energy.
JN/APA