BUJUMBURA March 28th (ABP) – The Republic of Burundi and that of Uganda held from March 22 to 24, 2022, in Bujumbura, the 3rd session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation between the two countries. It was within the framework of the implementation of the directives of the two respective Heads of State, released during the State visit to Uganda of the President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Evariste Ndayishimiye, from May 11 to 14, 2021.
The press release released on the sidelines of this session specified that the main objective of the 3rd session was to review and take stock of the implementation of the decisions taken during the 2nd permanent joint cooperation session which took place from August 26 to 28, 1991 in Kampala, Uganda. It also aims to recommend new areas of cooperation leading to the strengthening of bilateral relations and the livelihoods of the peoples of the two countries.
This session was marked by in-depth exchanges on the existing mutual assistance agreements between the two countries in specific sectors of bilateral cooperation. These are the economic affairs sector, the security and defense sector as well as the political and social affairs sector, including the signing of two agreements in the field of hydrocarbons and energy.
There was also the signing of the memorandum of understanding in the field of sport and on diplomatic and political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda, of the memorandum of understanding in the hydrocarbon sector as well as in the energy sector, the press release continued.
In his speech for the occasion, the Burundian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Mr. Albert Shingiro, indicated that the organization of this 3rd session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation between Burundi and Uganda and parallel to the forum of economic operators of the two countries, is an eloquent sign which testifies that the peoples of Burundi and Uganda are now looking in the same direction and want to strengthen the ties not only between the two governments, but also and above all the direct ties between the people and people.
He also pointed out that, at the continental level, Burundi and Uganda are the first two countries with a large number of AMSON troops in Somalia. “We are proud to participate in the fight against terrorism in this brotherly country and in the consolidation of peace and security which the Somali people so badly need”, rejoiced Minister Shingiro, while emphasizing that these two countries will continue this mission until the liberation of the Somali people from the terrorism and violent extremism of the terrorist group Al Shabab”.
For his part, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs, Honorable John Mulimba, said in his speech that Burundi and Uganda maintain cordial and historic bilateral relations which have been marked by the regular exchange visits to all levels of government including Heads of State. He added that the two countries help each other whenever needed, noting that Uganda has also been involved in the peace process over the past two decades, for the restoration of peace and stability in Burundi.
“The world has just emerged from a two-year lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This period of confinement has had detrimental effects on the socio-economic well-being of people around the world and it is obvious that epidemics can spread so quickly. It is therefore imperative that we work together to put in place policies and mechanisms to mitigate and prevent the spread of such outbreaks in the future,” State Minister Mulimba stressed, while asserting that Uganda is ready to work with Burundi and other countries in the region to strengthen collaboration and cooperation frameworks in the fight against the appearance and spread of epidemics.
SL: abp wv/ek TL: dnt MARCH 22