The Hague, 30 June 2015 – Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, was in the Netherlands on 29 and 30 June 2015, on an official visit at the invitation of her counterpart. The two-day visit aimed at strengthening the existing good bilateral cooperation with the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Rwanda.
Minister Mushikiwabo met with representatives of non-governmental institutions and universities. Several topics were discussed including European Union (EU)-Africa relations, Migration as well as the need for continued collaboration between EU-AU. All stressed that there is a need to improve the relationship between Europe and Africa. Minister Louise emphasized the need for having a genuine and serious dialogue on how Europe should collaborate with Africa based on mutual respect.
On her second day, Minister Mushikiwabo met with Standing Committees of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and International Cooperation of the Dutch Parliament. Minister Louise Mushikiwabo was informed by the standing committees that they intend to visit Rwanda in August 2015. This meeting was an important occasion for the Minister and standing committees to exchange ideas on the exiting good relations between Rwanda and the Netherlands and the Members of Parliament had the opportunities to ask several questions, among others, the situation in Burundi and how it affects the region.
Minister Mushikiwabo briefed the standing committees on the situation in Burundi, as well as the steps that have been taken by the East Africa Community Members states and the African Union.
The Rwandan Foreign Minister also met her Netherlands counterparts, Hon. Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Hon. Lilianne Ploumen, Trade & Development Cooperation. During the meetings the ministers commended the good relation existing between the two countries, which is strong and stable and the expressed the will for continued collaboration. Hon. Mushikiwabo stated that “visits such as these ones from both sides, underscores the deep and longstanding ties between the two countries. The close cooperation across many fields, including Justice, Agriculture, defense and trade, and the signing of the several Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships between the countries opened a new chapter in Rwanda-Netherlands relations” said Mushikiwabo.
We may recall that Minister Ploumen paid an official visit to Rwanda in November 2014, accompanied by a delegation of Dutch businessmen. On Trade and Investment, both Ministers agreed that they need to strengthen their strategic cooperation aiming at moving ‘from aid to trade’.
Minister Louise also visited Koffiebranderij Boon, a shop which roasts Rwanda coffee beans from Rushashi. The Rwanda specialty coffee is becoming popular in The Netherlands.
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