Rwanda and Burundi are two of the three main partner countries of the Belgian development cooperation and Belgium is the biggest international donor in Burundi. During his visit Alexander De Croo therefore paid a great deal of attention to the efforts made by the Belgian development cooperation there on the ground.

More opportunities for the youth
Alexander De Croo visited the cooperative Imbere Heza in Kigali. They use Belgian aid to help young people acquiring technical skills to enhance their chances in the labour market.

Together with the President of Burundi the ministers inaugurated a route in the Burundian city of Kirundo that previously had been built by the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) together with the local population.

Ministers De Croo and Reynders agreed with Rwanda President Paul Kagame and Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo to start a permanent political dialog. The dialog aims at reinforcing bilateral relations and developing a close and stable friendship. It should allow to better discussing subjects as the political playing field, the role of society, freedom of speech and pluralism.

Developing investments
Belgium and Rwanda also agreed to further develop economic relations and investments. Rwanda made real improvements in the fields of healthcare and fighting poverty. These are sectors that allow the country to reach the millennium goals as regards children and mother mortality. This encourages Belgium to further cooperate with Rwanda in the three concentration sectors: energy, health and decentralisation.

Observers at the polls in Burundi
Elections will be held in Burundi in 2015. During the talks with Didier Reynders and Alexander De Croo the President of Burundi Nkurunziza expressed his support for an election observation mission before, during and after the elections. The rule of law is of utmost importance to our country. Besides, the separation of powers between the judiciary and the executive should be respected.

It is a key moment for Burundi as the country will have to make important choices. The international community will have to evaluate how the choices are made in accordance with the Arusha agreements, the Burundian Constitution and international law.

East Congo
The situation of the region was also discussed during the political contacts, and in particular the execution of the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement signed in February 2013 by eleven African countries under the auspices of the United Nations in order to find a peaceful solution in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that has been affected by conflicts for decades.

See also : "Human rights, a Belgian policy priority, also in Rwanda" - Flanders News.be