Zambia said it will support Vietnam in dealing with war aftermath, especially unexploded ordnance (UXO). The statement was made at a meeting in Hanoi on July 17 between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Zambian Foreign Minister Harry Kalaba, the incumbent president of the fourth meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM). Minh briefed his guest on Vietnam’s efforts in overcoming the consequences of the past war, including UXO, noting that although nearly 40 years have elapsed, wartime bombs and mines still threaten many Vietnamese people’s lives. Vietnam appreciates the humanitarian spirit of CCM, and hopes that users of these weapons should be responsible for coping with the aftermath, he said. Minister Kalaba told Minh that Zambia supports and encourages the international community to help Vietnam address UXO issues. Both host and guest expressed satisfaction at the fine development of political relations between Vietnam and Zambia, as well as their support and coordination at regional and international forums. They agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, agriculture, aquaculture, and telecom infrastructure development. (Vov.vn July 17)
