Belgium seeks permanent political framework with Rwanda

Belgium is seeking a permanent political framework with Rwanda, to prevent any more future squabbles between the two countries.

Belgium and Rwanda have heard good bilateral relations for the last 20 years. This was after Belgium came out and apologised for its role in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

Now, Belgium, Rwanda’s former colonial master, says it wants the two open a permanent friendship.

On Thursday, Foreign Minister, Didier Reynders, told reporters in Kigali that: “We need to go further on a permanent dialogue on the coming development aid and working together to build capacity to invest and organize business contracts for our companies.”

Reynders mentioned further areas to be tackled in the permanent framework, including investing in new technologies in different fields.

“I am told one of the biggest priorities for investment in Rwanda is energy.”

Rwanda wants to increase access to electricity to 70% of households by 2017, up from current 22%.

Reynders and his fellow minister of cooperation, Alexander De Croo, are in a three-day visit to Rwanda, since January 6.

Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Louise Mushikiwabo said “We had a very good bilateral discussions with the two ministers. Belgium is a very important historical partner for Rwanda and the region. For us, this visit signifies that after 20 years, we should be moving for a much more stable relationship.”

The Minister however did not rule out ‘small tensions’ the two countries have heard, including bank accounts closure and visa delays. “That should be an opportunity for us to step up in terms of our relationship.”

Currently, Belgium injects €160 million aid to Rwanda, in a five-year cooperation deal, penned in 2011 between the two countries. Outside direct aid, Rwanda sees Belgium as an important partner in development.

Belgium Development Agency (BTC), in collaboration with Rwanda, has funded different projects worth over €50 million, to improve in the areas of energy, capacity building and vocational training, among others.

In private sector cooperation, Minister Mushikiwabo praised Belgian companies investing in Rwanda. Major Belgian companies investing in Rwanda include SN Brussels and Skol Breweries, with other mining companies; Somuki, Minetain, GeoRwanda, and Corem that have penetrated the Rwandan market.

For Foreign Minister Reynders, “We are in discussions with Rwanda to send more companies to exploit investment opportunities here.”

Source: KT Press