Kagame commends DRC-Rwanda cooperation

President Paul Kagame yesterday at Urugwiro Village received senior DRC officials participating in the 5th Rwanda-DRC Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) where he reasserted the importance of continued engagement between Rwandan and Congolese officials on issues of mutual interest.“This engagement is critical for our two countries and the region. There is a lot more within our means that we can make use of. Looking at our situation in the wider context of our continent, where Africa needs to be, it is clear that we all need peace and stability in order to turn our focus fully on business, trade and the kind of cooperation that will bring wealth and prosperity for Africans who have been poor for far too long. It is important to keep working together to get there. It is never too late.”President Kagame emphasised the importance of joint work in overcoming common problems by the people of the region pointing out that those affected had clearer insights into the challenges, were better equipped to find durable solutions and had the most interest in achieving tangible results.Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo briefed President Kagame on the bilateral discussions held which included development of infrastructure with a focus on energy and air transport; as well as the current security and refugee situation. Minister Mushikiwabo also pointed out that an agreement had been reached to advance cooperation on border management, trade and joint economic projects.Minister of International and Regional Cooperation and Francophonie, Raymond Tshibanda N’Tunga Mulongo who led the DRC delegation conveyed greetings from President Joseph Kabila and noted that relations between Rwanda and DRC were excellent and cooperation was developing.Minister N’Tunga Mulongo noted that the DRC remained committed to fighting all negative forces operating in their country, including the FDLR, and was pleased to see the same determination by Rwandan authorities. He also emphasised the need to overcome the challenge of establishing stability in order to move faster in economic cooperation and better lives for the citizens of the region, saying that the two teams were bound by a joint obligation to be efficient and produce results.The 11-member DRC delegation also included the Ministers responsible for Internal Security, Energy, and Justice; the Prosecutor General, the head of Intelligence Services, the Governors of North Kivu and South Kivu, and the Ambassador of DRC to Rwanda.