KIGALI - Senate President, Dr. Vincent Biruta, on Tuesday met with the German Ambassador, Elmar Timpe and discussed cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments.

The German envoy commended Rwanda’s pace of development saying that the country has made exceptional progress, 15 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

"This is the reason why my country (Germany) is optimistic in partnering with Rwanda because it is significant that Rwanda is a country eager for development,” Timpe said.

The two officials emphasized the need to learn from each other, agreeing to facilitate lawmakers from their countries to meet frequently.

The two countries’ diplomatic relations hit a snag in November last year following the arrest in Germany of the Director of State Protocol, Rose Kabuye while on official duty.

Rwanda vigorously protested and recalled its Ambassador to Bonn and gave the German Ambassador, Christian Clages, 48 hours to leave the country.

Cabinet recently nominated, Christine Nkurikiyinka, as Rwanda’s envoy to Germany.

The continued presence in Germany of the leaders of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group largely composed of genocidaires will feature in discussions between the two countries.

FDLR leader, Ignace Murwanashyaka, continues to move freely in and out of Germany despite a United Nations Security Council resolution 1804 that imposed travel and financial sanctions against FDLR leaders.

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