Nicosia, Cyprus – In an official ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, Her Excellency Mrs. Patricia Chisanga Kondolo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to Italy and High Commissioner to Cyprus on a non-residential basis, presented her credentials to His Excellency Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, the President of the Republic of Cyprus. The event marked an important milestone in the diplomatic relations between Zambia and Cyprus.
During the presentation ceremony, High Commissioner Kondolo reaffirmed the warm and cordial bilateral relations that exist between Zambia and Cyprus. She also acknowledged the strong multilateral cooperation between the two nations at the Commonwealth and United Nations levels. This close collaboration has been instrumental in fostering mutual understanding and addressing global challenges.
In her address, the High Commissioner commended Cyprus for its vibrant tourism industry and extended an invitation to Cypriot investors to explore opportunities in Zambia. She emphasized the potential for collaboration in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, energy, and value addition. This collaboration would not only benefit both countries economically but also strengthen the bilateral ties.
President Christodoulides congratulated High Commissioner Kondolo on her appointment and assured her of the full support of the Cyprus Government in fulfilling her duties. He expressed his appreciation for the longstanding and fruitful relations between Zambia and Cyprus, which are rooted in a shared history of fighting against colonialism and a mutual pursuit of freedom and self-determination.
The President emphasized the importance of reinforcing multilateralism and building international partnerships to uphold values of peace, democracy, and the rule of law. He underscored Cyprus’s commitment to democratic principles, human rights protection, and the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders of all states.
The presentation ceremony also witnessed the President of Cyprus receiving credentials from other non-resident Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing Moldova, Iceland, New Zealand, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and El Salvador. This gathering of diplomatic representatives further exemplified the commitment of Cyprus to fostering international relations and cooperation.
During her visit to Cyprus, High Commissioner Kondolo utilized the opportunity to promote increased trade and investment between Zambia and Cyprus. Given Zambia’s focus on economic diplomacy, she held meetings with key officials, including Mr. Kostas Koumis, the Deputy Minister for Tourism; Mr. Marios Tannousis, the CEO of Cyprus Investment Agency; and Mr. Kyriacos Kouros, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus. These engagements aimed to explore avenues for collaboration and strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
