BUJUMBURA August 4th (ABP) – The Prime Minister, Mr. Gervais Ndirakobuca, received in audience, on Tuesday August 2, 2023, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Burundi, Mr. Claude Bochu, who came to present his farewell, as his 4-year term in Burundi is coming to an end.
According to the spokesperson for the Prime Minister, Mr. Moise Nkurunziza, the Prime Minister thanked Mr. Bochu for his sustained involvement in improving diplomatic relations and cooperation between Burundi and the European Union. When he came, “relations between the European Union and Burundi were not like they are today”, he recalled.
During their exchanges, Mr. Bochu informed the Prime Minister of the major projects supported by the European Union: those which are coming to an end, those in progress and those which are about to begin. As explained by the spokesperson for the Prime Minister, among the projects in progress, he cited the reception and integration of displaced persons where the European Union has received an additional envelope, the modernization and expansion of the port of Bujumbura, the transport and installation of the pylons and cables for the electric transport from the Jiji-Murembwe hydroelectric power station to Bujumbura.
Among the new projects that will be implemented by the European Union is that of solar energy for a budget of 1,000,000 Euros. An environmental and biodiversity protection project will be implemented in the provinces of Cibitoke and Bubanza, in the Rusizi reserve and the hills overlooking that region. The modernization of certain justice services is also among the new projects, according to Mr. Nkurunziza, adding that the Prime Minister and Mr. Bochu commended the steps already taken, and wished Mr. Bochu a good continuation in his next functions.