EU Ambassadors to Rwanda and the Government of Rwanda met today to hold their regular political dialogue (as per Art. 8 of the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement).
The meeting offered the opportunity to take stock of the expanding bilateral partnership and provided for constructive exchanges of views and discussions on issues of mutual concern, including on the global and continental level.
The Ambassadors and Government representatives reviewed a large array of domestic and international issues, ranging from economic development, governance and fundamental freedoms, reconciliation in Rwanda, regional relationships and continental issues, and global challenges, including peace and security, climate change or gender equality. In all these areas, the parties also explored the possibilities to identify areas to strengthen further their cooperation.
During the meeting, the EU also presented the implementation of its bilateral development programme, flagships under the EU Global Gateway strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The EU also presented the various TeamEurope Initiatives, supported by EU and Member States that translate some of the Global Gateway priorities while responding to priority needs of Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy. The EU’s multi-annual indicative programme for Rwanda focuses on the areas of Education, Skills and Jobs for Youth, the Green deal for development and Political and Economic Governance. Under the Global Gateway, the EU, Member States and finance institutions mobilised resources to enhance the enabling environment for BioNTech’s investment in vaccine manufacturing in Rwanda. EU and Member States are implementing jointly as “TeamEurope” their support for the climate-resilient agricultural transformation and to accompany the emergence of a network of smart cities in Rwanda.
The political dialogue was co-chaired by the Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Vincent Biruta, and the Ambassador of the European Union, Ms Belen Calvo. Rwandan Government was also represented by Dr Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning; Dr Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of Justice; Dr Jean Damascène Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement; Brigadier General Patrick Karuretwa, Head of International Military Cooperation in the Ministry of Defence; Dr Usta Kaitesi, CEO Rwanda Governance Board; Ambassador Yamina Karitanyi, CEO Rwanda Mining Board; Dr Emile Bienvenue, DG Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority; Mr Antoine Kajangwe, DG Trade and Investment in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Mr Richard Kayibanda, Registrar General in Rwanda Development Board.
On the EU side participated the Ambassadors of Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Sweden, as well as representatives from Denmark, Luxemburg, Malta and Poland. (End)