Rubavu, 12 August 2016

President Kagame today received his DR Congo counterpart Joseph Kabila in Rubavu, who was on a one day working visit in Rwanda.

The two leaders were accompanied by delegations that included Alexis Tambwe Mwamba, DRC Minister of Justice, Atama Tabe, DRC Minister of Defence and Martin Kabwelulu, DRC Minister of Mines and Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, James Musoni, Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure and Germaine Kamayirese, Rwandan Minister of State in charge of Energy at the Ministry of Infrastructure.

 

The two sides exchanged on several topics regarding mutual interest and agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of cross-border trade and energy, specifically in the extraction of methane gas in Lake Kivu. It was agreed that the Joint Technical Team will begin its work before the end of August 2016.

Regarding cooperation in the area of security, both sides hailed the progress made in line with eradicating negative forces, and also stressed the importance of establishing a strong mechanism for the timely sharing of intelligence.

The two sides also committed to mutual efforts for the revitalization of bilateral relations, including the enhancing of diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.