Rwanda, Mozambique sign five bilateral pacts

Rwanda and Mozambique yesterday signed five bilateral pacts in a bid to strengthen ties and partnership. The pacts were signed on the second day of the state visit by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi. The five pacts include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission which will oversee the process of strengthening ties between the countries. The two countries also signed a Bilateral Air Service agreement, exemption of visa requirements for diplomatic and service passport holders and an MoU on science and technology, higher education and professional training. The Bilateral Air Service agreement is a step towards more reliable and predictable air services between the countries and could see the national carrier operate flights to Mozambique. The two countries also signed another MoU between Rwanda Development Board and the Investment and Export Promotion Agency of Mozambique. This is expected to increase private sector interaction between the two countries as well as investments. Addressing members of the press after witnessing the signing of the agreements, President Paul Kagame said that the two nations share similar ambitions and growth plans. He said that the discussions with the visiting president were on a range of issues including the state of the region and continent. Emphasizing the two countries commitments to working closely together, President Kagame added that cooperation is key to overcoming social economic challenges. Responding to a question on the best ways to foster reconciliation, Kagame pointed to unity as the foundation of development. “Reconciliation is going to be a work in progress, there is no fixed date. As you progress you have to work in unison with others so that the country develops not in isolation but as a whole,” he said. Speaking at the press conference, Nyusi said collaboration would unlock the potential of both countries and present an experience sharing opportunity. “What is important for our two nations is to tap our resources so that they benefit our citizens. We are not afraid of foreign interferences but we need to cooperate with everybody on a basis of mutual advantage and benefit,” he said. He welcomed Rwandan investors to Mozambique to invest in priority sectors such as agriculture, energy, tourism and infrastructure. The Mozambican President will today host a business summit convening private sector communities from the two countries with an aim to increase trade and investments. On the progress towards the ratification of the African Continental Free Trade Area, he said that his country’s parliament is in the process of approving its ratification. The visiting President later departed for the King’s Palace Museum in Nyanza District before proceeding to Rubavu where he toured La Corniche One-Stop Border Post.

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Rwanda, Mozambique sign five bilateral pacts