BUJUMBURA February 13th (ABP) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Mr. Albert Shingiro, presented on Thursday, February 9, 2023, the report on the ministry’s achievements for the second quarter of the 2022-2023 budget year. The presentation focused on the politico-diplomatic gains recorded by Burundi during the above-mentioned period as well as the other key actions carried out at the ministry.
Concerning the politico-diplomatic grains, Mr. Shingiro cited, among other things, the joint signing of December 3, 2022, between the government of Burundi and the United Nations system, of the United Nations framework plan for cooperation and sustainable development 2023-2007; the organization of the 1st session of the joint commission between Burundi and the Republic of South Africa from November 2 to 4, 2022 in Bujumbura.
Regarding the negotiation and signing of economic cooperation agreements with bilateral and multilateral partners, Minister Shingiro revealed a cooperation agreement in the field of technological and industrial development between Burundi and Tunisia, an exemption agreement visa for holders of diplomatic and service passports between Burundi and Laos and also a Gitega-Rabat twinning agreement, political capitals of Burundi and Morocco under negotiation.
He also pointed out that the formalities relating to accession, the entry into force of treaties, conventions and agreements, the ratification and the deposit of the requested instruments of ratification were initiated on the agreement between Burundi and Russia on the mutual development of visa procedures for holders of diplomatic or service passports, signed on February 6, 2018 in Bujumbura; the general cooperation agreement between Burundi and Serbia signed on February 20, 2019 and the agreement establishing the joint commission between Burundi and Morocco.
As part of the promotion of international cooperation, Burundi participated in several meetings. He cited participation at the highest level in the 27th Conference of Parties on Climate Change which took place in Sharm and Sheikh in Egypt from 6 to 18 November 2022, participation in the United States of Africa Leader Summit held in Washington from December 12 to 18, 2022 and participation in the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the International Francophone Community Organization held in Djerba, Tunisia from November 19 to 20, 2022.
As part of the promotion of bilateral cooperation, Minister Shingiro pointed out that they have ensured the follow-up of the implementation of development projects. These are the Bujumbura port rehabilitation project, the RN1 diversion project and the rehabilitation of the extension and modernization of the Melchior Ndadaye international airport.
In the field of support for education and development, the minister said that they have negotiated and obtained 83 scholarships and 342 training courses from their partners, the most important of which come from France, Russia, Egypt, Japan, China and India. Moreover, he added, the momentum in the implementation of economic diplomacy is well underway. Many activities have been carried out in that context. He specified the facilitation of economic prospecting missions for four Burundian businessmen in India, the organization of three economic missions for foreign investors in Burundi as well as the reception of a delegation of Belgian investors in October 2022, belonging to the company Target consulting group interested in the energy, telecommunications and forest protection sectors.
Beyond those reasons for satisfaction for their achievements, the minister did not fail to mention two challenges encountered at the ministry. These include the lack of material and financial resources which has caused some actions to experience difficulties in execution, and the lack of a building that can house all the departments of the ministry.