Kigali, 6 March 2014
President Kagame today received the European Union Commissioner for development, Andris Piebalgs who is in the country to announce a new six-year development partnership between Rwanda and the European Union. He is accompanied by the Belgian Minister for International Cooperation, Jean-Pascal Labille.
“For the period of 2014-2020 our goal is to strengthen economic growth in the country by focusing on the energy sector reform and Agriculture because they create job and economic growth. The start envelope is 460 million Euro, roughly 50% more than the previous one which is a big increase and I have no doubt that it will be used quite well. We also have this big Europe Africa Summit in Brussels in April. We all believe that there is a need for qualitative change in relationship between these two continents and we are looking forward to a successful Summit that won’t only be about signing papers but different types of genuine exchanges about what unites both continents.”
The Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo said the European Union is satisfied with the projects executed between 2008-2013 which is why they have decided to double the cooperation support for the next six years. She also said the Commissioner for development and President Kagame discussed the upcoming Africa-EU Heads of State Summit in Brussels in April.