German MPs tour devt projects

Seven members of the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) are in the country on a four-day official visit. The delegation of German legislators, from the committee in charge of East African affairs in the Germany parliament, will be here until February 18.

Sunday, February 15, 2015
Anita Schafer, the leader of the visiting German legislators, together with Dr Usta Kaitesi, principal of the University of Rwanda's College of Arts and Social Sciences, in Huye District yesterday. Courtesy.

Seven members of the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) are in the country on a four-day official visit.

The delegation of German legislators, from the committee in charge of East African affairs in the Germany parliament, will be here until February 18.

The delegation arrived in the country via Akanyaru Haut border post from Burundi, according to Parliament’s communication department.

They are expected to deliberate on issues regarding German-sponsored development projects in the country such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) schools, matters concerning budget support and inter-parliamentary relations, according Zeno Mutimura, the chairperson of parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security.

"Their visit is important to us in terms of international relations and cooperation. The relations between the two countries have been solid for long since we share a lot in common, the good and the even worst (regarding Genocide in Rwanda and Holocaust in Germany),” Mutimura said.

The delegation, yesterday, paid tribute to the Genocide victims at Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Gisozi, before headeding to Musanze District, Northern Province, where they visited the ‘Unity and Reconciliation Village’ where victims and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi now live side-by-side and in harmony with each other.

The group also held discussions with the Governor of Northern Province, Aime Bosenibamwe, and Musanze mayor Winfrida Mpebeyemungu, among other officials.

The German MPs’ visit precedes another high-profile visit of about 100 people, including members of German business community, who are expected in the country later this week.

The delegation will be headed by the German minister in charge of foreign affairs.

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