King calls for an end to global conflicts, welcomes 5 new EU ambassadors
By Kwanele Dhladhla
His Majesty King Mswati III has made a strong call for an end to global conflicts, urging the international community to prioritise peace and development in the aftermath of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.
The King made this strong call on Thursday at Lozitha Royal Palace during a ceremony to receive letters of credence to newly accredited ambassadors from five European countries- Hungary, Slovakia, Lithuania, Italy, and Finland.
The new envoys are Attila György Horvath (Hungary), Vladimir Gracz (Slovakia), Rasa Jankauskaité (Lithuania), Gabriele Phillip Annis (Italy), and Satu Lassila (Finland).
His Majesty reflected on the hardships brought by war and global unrest, emphasizing that humanity must shift its focus toward healing and rebuilding.
“To experience all these big problems of conflict, we wish one day all these problems would be something we can put behind us so that we can concentrate more on development, especially because of Covid-19.
The pandemic has taken a lot of lives in the world, and now it is time to put more effort into building nations, countries, economies, and so on. Therefore, we count on all of you as our partners, and we will work together in making this dream a reality,” the King said.
The King warmly welcomed the diplomats to Eswatini, expressing hope that they would find their assignments both rewarding and enjoyable.
He urged them not only to strengthen ties between their countries and Eswatini but also to take time to experience the Kingdom’s people, culture, and traditions.
“I am very happy to welcome you all as the new ambassadors here in Eswatini, and I hope you will all enjoy being here. I hope that when the dialogue between the government and the EU takes place, most of you will be here so that we can discuss a lot of issues very constructively.
I look forward to you making new friends, and I hope you will also give yourself enough time to visit the country and meet the people of Eswatini, to understand what they stand for,” His Majesty continued.
Speaking on behalf of the new envoys, Hungarian Ambassador Attila György Horvath reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to deepening ties with Eswatini and supporting the Kingdom’s development path.
“Our presence here speaks volumes about the shared values and interests that connect us. In the framework of the 50-year-strong partnership established between the European Union and the Kingdom of Eswatini, our countries have had various degrees of engagement with the Kingdom, evolving over the years to address the pressing issues in Eswatini’s development journey,” he said.
He highlighted Europe’s contributions to Eswatini’s key sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, social protection, green energy, and emergency food security assistance.
These investments, Horvath noted, were “testaments to unwavering commitment to the prosperity and growth of the Kingdom of Eswatini.”
Beyond infrastructure, the EU member states have also supported community-based groups across the country, recognizing them as vital drivers of social change in both rural and urban areas.
Horvath said such efforts would continue as part of the ambassadors’ missions.
“Our work is based on shared values, anchored in the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, and the Constitution of Eswatini,” he said.
The ambassador further underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing global challenges. He cited the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and “Russia’s unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine” as crises that demand international unity.
“In this rapidly changing and interconnected world, it is our mission to build on our collaboration to tackle global challenges. As partners, we must support one another to defend the UN Charter and uphold the international multilateral order that is vital for ensuring global peace, independence, and sovereignty for all countries, big or small,” he stressed.
The ceremony not only marked the formal beginning of the ambassadors’ tenure in Eswatini but also reaffirmed the strong ties between the Kingdom and the European Union.
Both sides expressed optimism that their shared vision of peace, prosperity, and stability would guide future cooperation.