Burundi strengthens bilateral cooperation

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Albert SHINGIRO informs that, in the field of education, about 150 scholarships and 50 vocational trainings were negotiated and obtained from Burundi’s development partners during the year of 2021-2022.

 The Ministry organized several working visits at the highest level and at ministerial level which resulted in the signing of several cooperation agreements with other countries in areas of common interest. His Excellency cited in particular: the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Ethiopia, the State of Israel, the Holy See, the Kingdom of Morocco, Turkey, the Kingdom of Belgium within the framework of the AU-EU Summit, Paris, Bern, Rome and others.

As part of monitoring the implementation of these Agreements, the Minister indicated that formalities relating to accession, entry into force of treaties and conventions and Agreements, ratification and deposit of the required instruments of ratification have been effected.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation indicated that during the period under review, he presented to the National Assembly and the Senate several consents in various fields. He added that some projects have already been ratified, and others are still going through the normal process of ratification. These include, among others:

-Tthe consent on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the general cooperation agreement between Burundi and the Republic of Serbia;

– The consent on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the agreement on economic and technical cooperation between Burundi and the United Arab Emirates;

– Of Law No. 1/15 of April 28, 2022 on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the Agreement in the field of education between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil, signed in Bujumbura;

– Law No. 1/13 of April 28, 2022 on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to the rights of the elderly;

 – Law No. 1/14 of 28 April 2022 on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa;

 –Law No. 1/17 of May 18, 2022 on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the Agreement on the Recruitment of Workers between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

-Law No. 1/18 of May 18, 2022 on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the Agreement on the Recruitment of domestic workers between the Government of the Republic of Burundi and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;

-Law No. 1/19 of May 18, 2022 on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the revised General Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Government of the Republic of Burundi;

– The consent on the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the General Cooperation Agreement between Burundi and the Republic of Serbia;

– The consent on the ratification of the Agreement on the Mutual Abolition of Visa Procedures for holders of diplomatic or service passports between the Government of Burundi and the Russian Government;

 – The consent ratifying the Assistance Agreement between the United States of America and Burundi to facilitate a partnership aimed at a transformation that promotes the sustainable development of Burundi.

In the same context of strengthening bilateral cooperation with Burundi’s partners, His Excellency Albert SHINGIRO informed that the Ministry has continued diplomatic steps for the holding of Sessions of Joint Cooperation Commissions between Burundi and Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, etc.

The Minister added that the Ministry also negotiated with the partners the terms of implementation of the Assistance Agreements/or financial support granted to Burundi: negotiations with the Japanese Party so that the revenue generated by the sale of Japanese Donated Fuel and Japanese Don Rice are used for the construction of infrastructure in Burundi have been carried out: A Project for the construction of storage sheds at the Ministry having Agriculture in its attributions has already been approved by the Japanese and Burundian parties.

 Regarding good neighborly relations, His Excellency Albert SHINGIRO underlined that Burundi’s new foreign policy emphasizes the promotion of good neighborly relations with all