ZAMBIAN DIALOGUE

...It must be Zambian-led, says British envoy

“The initiative by Commonwealth Secretary-General Scotland is about establishing the dialogue process, however, the process should be Zambian led… what matters is the solution for Zambia and it has nothing to do with the Commonwealth,” Mr. Cochrane said

By NATION REPORTER

BRITISH High Commissioner to Zambia Fergus Cochrane says the planned dialogue process should be led by Zambians.

Mr. Cochrane has observed that despite the process having been initiated by Commonwealth Secretary-General Ms. Patricia Scotland, the process was entirely Zambian and should be Zambian-led.

“The initiative by Commonwealth Secretary-General Scotland is about establishing the dialogue process, however, the process shouldbe Zambian led… what matters is the solution for Zambia and it has nothing to do with the Commonwealth,” he said.

Mr. Cochrane said that during that dialogue process, issues surrounding the electoral reforms should be addressed so that the 2021 general elections can be held under a peaceful environment.

The British envoy was speaking in Livingstone during what the UK government calls “Commonwealth Big Lunches” hosted for young people ahead of the Commonwealth meeting for all members-states to be attended by all the 53 Heads of State. He said that during the meeting slated for next week in London, a number of issues affecting Commonwealth members will be discussed to find solutions. Mr. Cochrane said that the UK government is determined to see to it that all the 53 member-states develop and grow their democracies.

And Mr. Cochrane has encouraged Zambian companies especially those in the manufacturing industry to raise the standard to international standards.

He said to trade internationally, Zambian companies need to meet the international standards noting that that was the more

reason that the Zambia Bureau of Standards working with the Institute of British Bureau of Standard was established.

Mr. Cochrane said that once the standards are met, it would be easy for local companies to do business with other countries.