STOCKHOLM: Rwanda’s new envoy to the Nordic Countries, Ambassador Christine Nkulikiyinka on Thursday presented her credentials to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden.
King Gustav commended Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery and the reconciliation process.
Nkulikiyinka briefed the king on developments in Rwanda and underlined the Country’s commitment and efforts towards poverty eradication. She said Rwanda was keen on strengthening its relations with Sweden, especially through trade and investment.
The Swedish king complimented the ‘Kwita izina’ initiative as a tool for conservation. He noted that his son—Prince Carl Philip—had travelled to Rwanda in 2010 to visit and photograph mountain gorillas. Prince Philip accompanied renowned nature photographer and filmmaker Matias Klum.
The king also highlighted his interest in peace processes in the great lakes region—a matter on which he was updated by Ambassador Nkulikiyinka.
Since the end of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, Sweden has been one of Rwanda’s main bilateral partners. In June, the Nordic Country approved a new five-year development cooperation agreement with Rwanda worth SEK900 million (approximately USD130 Million).
Among the areas Sweden is currently focusing in its bilateral agreement with Rwanda is higher education and research. An extensive cooperation agreement between several Swedish universities and the University of Rwanda has resulted in the commencement of new programs at the University of Rwanda, exchanges between faculty and at present about 50 Rwandan PhD scholars pursuing studies in Sweden.
Later on Thursday, Nkulikiyinka was due to meet the Rwandan community from the Stockholm area. Prior to her posting in Stockholm, Nkulikiyinka was Rwanda’s Ambassador to Germany.
The Rwandan Embassy to the Nordic Countries is accredited to Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland.
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