Kigali, 28 April 2017
President Kagame and his guest, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Dessalegn today held a bilateral meeting at Urugwiro Village where they discussed among other things, expanding bilateral relations between Rwanda and Ethiopia. The Prime Minister was on the second day of his three-day state visit to Rwanda. The two Heads of State also witnessed the signing of 11 bilateral agreements between the two countries, before holding a joint press conference where they fielded questions on issues bilateral and concerning the continent as a whole.
President Kagame observed that the cooperation between Rwanda and Ethiopia should not be just among officials but one that brings people together at all levels. Concerning cooperation between the two countries, he said that ‘even the sky is not the limit.’
“We are happy we are not just brothers and sisters, we can use our cooperation as a platform for development of our people. Our cooperation should not be just among officials. It is a cooperation that brings people together at all levels.”
Prime Minister Dessalegn thanked President Kagame and the people of Rwanda for the warm reception and hospitality, saying that although hospitality and warm reception of guests is a Rwandan culture, the reception accorded him and his delegation was unique.
“Our relationship is unique and we want to nurture and expand it. Our relationship is not just diplomacy but mutual understanding and respect. Ethiopia is on board to support African Union reforms. Thank you for this visionary leadership.”
During the Press conference, President Kagame said that African countries must learn with a vision, have strategy of how to get where they want and what they must do to get the results they want.
The 11 agreements signed and witnessed by the two heads of state included: Extradition Treaty, Mutual Legal Assistance, Communication, Information and Media, Youth and Sports, Tourism, Health, Education, Culture, Cooperation in Correctional Services, Gender, Women and Children and Water resource management.
The Prime Minister visited a number of projects outside of Kigali, including the Ntebe and Kitazigurwa integrated model villages in Rwamagana District and the Gicumbi radical terracing project. He also inaugurated the first Ethiopian Embassy in Rwanda.