Celebration of the National Day of the Kingdom of Belgium

On July 21, 2022, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO joined the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Burundi and the Belgian population on the occasion of the celebration of the National Day of the Kingdom of Belgium, celebrated on July 21 each year.

In his speech, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Burundi Mr. Alain Van GUCHT said that this day commemorates the oath taken, on July 21, 1831, by Léopold 1er, first King of the Belgians, to remain faithful to the Constitution. According to Ambassador Alain Van Gucht, the King played a major role in the stability of the nation, respectful of the system of constitutional and parliamentary monarchy that it chose, the harmonious relationship between the King and his people, a relationship that allowed the Belgian people to register much better performances, a remarkable national and international influence.

Regarding diplomatic relations with Burundi, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium said that his country will remain alongside Burundi as its most important bilateral partner to consolidate respect for certain cooperation agreements. Belgium is involved in many areas of development, as Ambassador Alain Van Gucht mentioned in his speech.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Mr. Ferdinand BASHIKAKO, pointed out that Burundi and Belgium share a history that the two peoples are far from forgetting. This privileged relationship for several years, he added, gives Belgium a special place, that of being the first bilateral partner in terms of volume of aid. He indicated that the partnership between the two countries has led to the target of aid concentration sectors, of which particular attention has been paid to agriculture, health and education, the preferred targets for achieving the goals of sustainable development.

The Permanent Secretary did not fail to wish His Majesty King Philippe much success in his noble mission of leading his people to great progress and influence. The Burundian people indeed know King Philippe because he came to Burundi to share the delights of the fiftieth anniversary of the Independence of Burundi, as Royal Highness and Special Envoy of King Albert II. While he was in Burundi, King Philippe was able to visit support projects for rural populations carried out by his country and above all to talk directly with the beneficiaries to see the impact of this support on improving their level of life. This gesture was greatly appreciated by the Burundian population and the Burundian Government.

The Permanent Secretary ended his speech by once again thanking Belgium for having joined Burundi during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Burundi’s independence by sending the Special Envoy of the King of the Belgians in order to intensify the prevailing bilateral relations. The Permanent Secretary reiterated on behalf of the Republic of Burundi, the Kingdom of Belgium, the defense, the sharing of the same values ​​of promotion of sovereignty etc.