Kagame expressed the hope yesterday as he ended a working visit to Madagascar where he also held a tête-à-tête with his host President Andry Rajoelina at Iavoloha Presidential Palace.
The President and First Lady Jeannette Kagame were in Madagascar yesterday where they attended the 59th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Madagascar held at Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in the capital city, Antananarivo.
As he addressed members of the press, Kagame said it was a high honor to pay his first visit to the magnificent country on the 59th anniversary of the restoration of Independence.
He appreciated the invitation from Madagascar counterpart to join him and the people of Madagascar on the historic occasion saying the visit is also an opportunity to deepen the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
“This was the substance of the very productive discussions which the President and I have just held. Building on the MoU signed by our respective development boards earlier this year, we intend to enhance the trade and investment ties between Rwanda and Madagascar, particularly in the context of COMESA and the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.
Kagame also highlighted other priority areas for collaboration including technology, agriculture, and security.
“I was also pleased to invite His Excellency to pay a visit to Rwanda in the near future. We hope that we will continue to strengthen the ties between our two countries and our two peoples, and help propel our people to greater development,” he stressed.
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame also attended a State Banquet hosted in their honor by President Andry Rajoelina and First Lady Mialy Rajoelina of Madagascar.
This is my first visit to Africa’s largest island. The natural beauty of Madagascar is legendary and truly breath-taking. However, we have found the warm, generous spirit of the Malagasy people even more striking.
He thanked his counterpart and the people of Madagascar ‘for according us the privilege of marking this historic day together as your guests. I also congratulate you.’ Kagame said the unity and strength of the nation were clearly on display that national unity is the highest political virtue as well as the foundation of sovereignty, security, and development.
“In Rwanda, by coming together to find solutions to our unique challenges, we found that we actually had the power and resilience to transform our lives for the better,” he noted.
“The demonstration of possibility, in the face of adversity, is the most important lesson of our experience. If Rwanda has been able to make progress, it means that others can do the same, or better,” added Kagame.
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