Cooperation between Rwanda and Russia is on track, a diplomat at the Russian embassy in Kigali has said. Dr Mikhail D. Nikitin, the Deputy Head of mission at the embassy says the recent decision by the Kigali government to reopen the Rwandan embassy in his country is a great step towards strengthening ties. “I would like to say that our two countries are destined to remain close friends and partners, and together we can make our cooperation more active and efficient,” Nikitin said. A recent Cabinet meeting approved Ambassador Andrey Vradimirovich Polyakov, as new Russian envoy to Rwanda. The cabinet also approved the appointment of Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya as Rwanda’s envoy to Russia. Nikitin explained that Kigali’s decision to open an embassy in Moscow will ensure a practical cooperation between the two countries. He also noted that this is part of his country’s strategy to build partnerships with African countries. “We are keen to further develop traditional friendly relations with African states. From the beginning of the twenty first century, we have been renewing our political and economic relations with Africa,” he said. Bilateral trade between Russia and African countries increased more than ten times for the first decade of the century, according to Nikitin. National DayLast week, the Russian embassy held an event to mark the National Day of Russia. The annual celebration that falls on June 12 is meant to recognise the beginning of democratic reforms in Russia. It is on this day, in 1990, that Soviet leaders signed a declaration of Russia’s sovereignty, marking a forward step to the official dissolution of the Soviet Union. The event that took place in Kigali attracted government officials, envoys of various countries to Rwanda and friends of Russia. At the event, Nikitin said that among others, the cooperation with Rwanda has seen over 700 Rwandan students graduating from Russian universities and institutions. James Ngango, the Director General of Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented the government at the event. In his speech, he appreciated and commended the partnership the Russian government has with Rwanda, saying it has a lot for the two countries. He reaffirmed government commitment to maintain strong ties with Russia.
