BUJUMBURA January 18th (ABP) – The Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye, received, in audience, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the presidential palace Ntare Rushatsi, the Director General of the European Union (EU) in charge of relations with Africa, Mrs. Rita Laranjinha, who came to Burundi to take part in a conference on the Great Lakes region, held in Bujumbura, from January 15 to 16, 2024.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the hearing, Mrs. Laranjinha, who led an EU delegation, immediately recalled that during that conference, we worked closely with the international commission of the Great Lakes region and the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees. She noted that it was also an opportunity to meet the Burundian authorities to review the bilateral relationship that exists between the EU and Burundi. She indicated that she had informed the President of the Republic on the results of that conference, while in turn, President Ndayishimiye revealed to them Burundi’s position in relation to the regional situation.
The EU delegation reassured that cooperation between Burundi and the EU is currently very significant because, she explained, we have cooperation programs in essential and priority areas defined by the President of the Republic, such as infrastructure, notably the rehabilitation of the Melchior Ndadaye international airport, energy, health, education and justice. That cooperation with the EU will be followed locally by the EU delegation present in Burundi, she added.
The spokesperson for the President of the Republic, Mrs. Rosine Guilène Gatoni, added that the two personalities discussed the development of Burundi and the East African Community (EAC) where it was noted that the countries of the region are working hard to achieve sustainable development within that community.
Ms. Gatoni indicated that the two authorities returned to the flagship projects in progress, notably the construction of the Rusumo Falls dam, currently being finalized, and the construction of the railway linking Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
They did not forget to discuss certain shortcomings which are noticeable in relations between the member countries of the EAC.
To that end, President Ndayishimiye asked the European Union to remain alongside that community for the peaceful resolution of the conflicts that exist between its member states, while favoring dialogue, particularly to restore peace in the East of the DRC.
The President of the Republic also asked the EU to support Burundi in the effective implementation of the vision Burundi emerging in 2040 and developed in 2060.
Note that Mrs. Laranjinha took that opportunity to congratulate Burundi, which is now a member of the International Commission on Human Rights.