Rwanda, Germany ties to grow stronger, says visiting minister

Relations between Germany and Rwanda will keep growing stronger for mutual benefits, the visiting German Minister for Interior and Sports Affairs, Roger Lewentz, has said. He made the remarks on Monday while visiting the Ministry of Local Government, along with his delegation. They are in Rwanda for a weeklong tour. The visit will see the officials tour various parts of the country with interest in education, tourism, infrastructure, among others, while also meeting line officials for discussions. The visit seeks to explore further areas of cooperation to boost relations between the two countries, he said. Cooperation between Rwanda and the Germany, especially with the Federal State of Rhineland Palatinate, has been in existence for 34 years. According to Lewentz, under the cooperation, the two countries learn from each other. He said the two countries have committed to keep working together to ensure that future cooperation blossoms further. Lewentz said focus will be put on inclusive education, handcraft, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, economy, tourism, justice, among others. “This is a partnership of friendship between the two nations, I see development is rapidly going on, new roads, electricity, among others,” said Lewentz. “We are committed to ensure improved support in inclusive education, TVET for our children because these are key to development. I think these are areas that can strengthen our relationship,” he added. The minister hailed Rwanda’s recovery from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the pace of development in various sectors. The Minister for Local Government, Francis Kaboneka, said partnership between the two countries is not one-sided. The current partnership, he said, benefits people in the two countries. “Today, it is not about supporting us, they are partners, they have business in Rwanda which they benefit from, there are many projects they support in education, health and many others. And, they are also focusing on tourism, these projects benefit people from both countries. This means there is what we learn from them and vice versa,” Kaboneka said. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda, Germany ties to grow stronger, says visiting minister