{{Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, Wednesday welcomed Belgian Minister for Public Enterprises and Development Cooperation, Jean Pascal Labille, to Rwanda. He arrived for a three-day visit.}}
In their discussions, the ministers spoke on how to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and discussed the status of projects funded by the Belgian government.
Minister Mushikiwabo said that Belgium and Rwanda have a historical partnership that has borne noticeable results:
“We are very pleased with Belgian cooperation. It is in line with Rwanda’s development priorities and the projects supported by Belgium benefit the people of Rwanda in a visible way.”
Minister Labille commended Rwanda’s achievement and economic growth and confirmed that Belgium will support the country’s EDPRS goals:
“This must be emphasized: Rwanda has made great strides in development. This is one of the few countries that will achieve the millennium development goals (MDGs).”
The ministers also discussed the implementation of the UN Secretary General’s Peace and Security Framework on the DRC and the region, as well as Rwanda’s role on the UN Security Council.
Minister Mushikiwabo affirmed Rwanda’s commitment to the Framework saying it is a real roadmap to a peaceful DRC and region:
“We are very attached to this roadmap which will guide a lasting solution to the crisis in eastern DRC. We expect everybody else that has subscribed to this roadmap to do the same.”
Mr. Labille said that the international community must take strong measures for a global solution in the region.
Responding to the press after the meeting Minister Mushikiwabo mentioned that after the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, Rwanda took reconciliation and uniting Rwandans very seriously.
“Rwanda has facilitated the return of over three million refugees since 1995. FDLR members who laid down arms and abandoned genocide ideology were repatriated and rehabilitated, and those who did not have pending cases in justice were reintegrated back into their communities, some even in leadership positions.
Rwanda has taken a very clear political line, therefore there is no need to sit at the table and negotiate with people who have been poisoned by the ideology of genocide and continue their deadly rampage 20 years after the genocide,” she said.
Speaking on the sometimes changing nature of the two country’s relationship, Mr. Labille stated that the two countries have to focus on the future:
“Bilateral relations between Rwanda and Belgium have existed for a long time.
However, it has not always been stable- it’s like the life of a married couple. In my view, we ought to focus on the future rather than dwelling on our past.”
For over 50 years, Rwanda and Belgium have established long-standing bilateral relations.
The cooperation between the two countries has increased in the past few years with Belgium committing EUR 160 million over 4 years in the most recent Indicative Cooperation Program (PIC).
Belgium partners with Rwanda in the areas of health, energy and decentralisation.
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