Published by the government of Zimbabwe
24 April 2009
Harare — NEW Zambian and Finnish ambassadors to Zimbabwe presented their credentials to President Mugabe at State House, yesterday.
Incoming Zambian Ambassador Dr Sipula Kabanje was the first to present his credential at a brief ceremony attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Joey Bimha.
Speaking to journalists after meeting President Mugabe, Dr Kabanje pledged to consolidate ties between the two countries.
"I will be working to enhance bilateral relations between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and encourage trade and mutual investment in such areas as agriculture for the benefit of the two countries and the Sadc region," he said. Dr Kabanje, a lawyer by profession who has held various positions in the Zambian judiciary, is on his first diplomatic posting.
He is also a former chairperson of the Zambia Liberation Committee, which mobilised resources for Zimbabwean freedom fighters during the liberation struggle. He replaces Ambassador Sheila Siwela, who ended her mission to Zimbabwe in August last year.
The new Finnish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Sinikka Antila expressed hope that the inclusive Government and the political settlement between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations would be fruitful.
"Zimbabwe is a country with great potential and has wonderful people who have gone through a lot in recent years," she said.
Ms Antila, who is based in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, said Finland would continue to provide humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe. She said Finland was currently observing the implementation of the Global Political Agreement for its aid to go beyond humanitarian assistance.
The Finnish government, she said, would also want to see goals set in the GPA achieved.
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