The new Finland Ambassador on Tuesday reaffirmed his country’s commitment to help Malawi get back on its feet socially and economically.
Perti Anttien said this after presenting letters of credence to President Joyce Banda at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre.
Anttien, who will be based in Lusaka, Zambia, said Finland has for a long time partnered Malawi in the area of forestry, adding the country would like to explore other areas of cooperation.
He said his country would also partner with Malawi through assistance Finland would render through regional programmes whose funding is channelled through the European Union (EU).
Also presenting his credentials to Banda was new Zambian High Commissioner Billy Munyumbwe.
Munyumbwe underscored the need for unity between the two countries, saying despite border demarcations, Malawi and Zambia share a lot of similarities.
He said Zambia would partner with Malawi through the consolidation of trade so that people from the two countries learn to be more self-reliant than depending on handouts.
Zambia and Malawi locked horns during the late Bingu wa Mutharika administration over the issue of deportation of the current Zambian President, Michael Sata, by the previous regime when Sata was leader of opposition. Sata demanded an apology.—Mana
