LUSAKA, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Zambia and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic and political consultations.

The memorandum of understanding will allow the two countries to have practical cooperation and close coordination on various bilateral and internal issues as well as provide a mechanism to review outstanding agreements between the two countries.

Zambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Joseph Malanji, who is in Saudi Arabia signed on behalf of the southern African nation while his counterpart Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir signed on behalf of his country, according to a statement released by the foreign affairs ministry.

The two ministers, who held bilateral talks, committed themselves to do everything possible in advancing bilateral ties in order to build strong economic partnerships and strategic alliances.

The Zambian minister said the signing of the memorandum of understanding is a demonstration of the strong bonds of friendship and genuine strategic partnership between the two countries.

The memorandum of understanding also demonstrates the deliberate efforts made by the two countries to further consolidate their bilateral relations as well as enhance the Africa-Saudi Arabia relations, he added.