Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic attended today in Lusaka, in his capacity as Envoy of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the funeral of the first President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda, who was the leader of this African country from 1964 to 1991.

Addressing the citizens of Zambia and African officials who are today paying their respects to the deceased, Minister Selakovic underlined that President Kenneth Kaunda belonged to a generation of great people, who gave many nations freedom and independence.

"The Serbian people has fostered great friendship with the proud people of Zambia and the father of its independence throughout the history of our relations. The citizens of Serbia are proud that, during the socialist Yugoslavia led by President Tito, they cooperated with President Kaunda within the Non-Aligned Movement on building a more just, freer and more humane world. To this day, we remain loyal to these values”, Selakovic said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic met in Lusaka with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho Matsepo Ramakoae.

The two interlocutors discussed the improvement of the overall relations between the two countries, especially in the economic area. They agreed that cooperation in the field of agriculture had the most potential.

Speaking about the intensification of political dialogue and the exchange of high and top-level visits, the head of Serbian diplomacy invited Madam Minister to visit Serbia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic had a number of meetings today in Lusaka with officials from African countries, who arrived in Zambia to attend the funeral of the political founder of the independence and the first President of the country Kenneth Kaunda.

Before the state funeral held at a stadium in Lusaka, Selakovic first expressed his condolences to the President of Zambia Edgar Chagwa Lungu, and then also had talks with high-ranking officials of African countries and representatives of multilateral organizations.

Minister Selakovic talked, among others, with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa, President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi, President of Namibia Hage Geingob, President of Botswana Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta and President of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera. Selakovic also met with Prime Minister of Lesotho Moeketsi Majoro, Ethiopian Parliament Speaker Tagesse Chafo, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat and Secretary General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland.