Audience granted to a Russian Delegation

On tuesday, february 2, 2022, His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO, within the premises of the Ministry, received in audience a Russian Delegation led by the Head of the Federal Agency International Humanitarian (Rossotrudnichestvo) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Russian Federation, Mr. Evgenii Alexandrovitch Primakov.

The Head of the Russian Delegation first began to express his gratitude for the good bilateral and multilateral relations that exist between the two Countries, Burundi and Russia. He thanked the Government of Burundi for its determination and dedication in supporting International Fora and within the United Nations. He outlined some of the Agency’s objectives, in particular: cooperation in the field of education (training of Burundian students within various Institutes, Academies and Universities), specifying that the quota of scholarships financed by the Federation from Russia for Burundi has now reached fifty. He promised to increase the quota if the Government of Burundi expresses the need. He further promised to train the more talented students so that they can bear good fruit after their training.

At the center of the discussion was essentially the promotion and support of the Russian candidacy in the upcoming elections for EXPO-230 in Mascou. Mr. Evgenii Alexandrovitch Primakov stressed that the Russian Federation needs Burundi’s support so much for this EXPO-2030. The said EXPO is supported by the President and Head of Government of the Russian Federation. On this subject, the Head of the delegation transmitted a message from the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Vladimir Poutine to His Counterpart His Excellency Mr. Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE, the President of the Republic of Burundi.

Speaking, His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO welcomed the arrival of this strong delegation and wished them a good stay and a good job in Burundi. He also underlined that these two Countries are delighted with the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation that have existed since the Independence of Burundi. The two Countries collaborate in many areas including: the field of education which is very sensitive and especially that Burundi needs well-trained heads.

For the candidacy of the city of Moscow for the EXPO-2030, Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO declared that the support of Burundi is irreversible as Burundi had done in the past years by supporting the city of Yekaterinburg despite its defeat in the elections, Burundi will always support Russia, he said.

On this point of support, Minister Albert SHINGIRO thanked the firm commitment of the Russian Federation to support Burundi in hard times within the United Nations Office and other international Forums. He also invited Russians to come to Burundi to exploit the opportunities in which they can invest.