The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation briefs the diplomatic corps

On tuesday, july 06, 2023, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO briefed the diplomatic corps at the Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika

During his presentation, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO took the opportunity to share with the audience the absolute priorities on which the Government is focusing its efforts, the major aspects of diplomatic action as well as some global challenges the world is facing nowadays.

Regarding the vision of Burundi as an emerging country in 2040 and a developed country in 2060, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO said that the Government is concentrating its efforts in achieving that vision. It was decided that the national budget will be taken into consideration the document of that vision, the implementation of which will be evaluated step by step. In strengthening that vision, the Burundian Government is pursuing its action with determination in several strategic growth sectors in order to achieve the objectives set out in that vision.

Regarding the agricultural sector, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO added that the Government puts a particular emphasis on researching and popularization of selected seeds, on the availability of adequate fertilizers, on the improvement of the agricultural methods and on the program support to agricultural cooperatives with a view to increasing production and moving from the subsistence agriculture to export agriculture through the multiplication of several products units.

His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO also said that the Government is also focusing on a job creation for the young people through the promotion of entrepreneurship, innovation and the spirit of creativity.

As part of the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO reported that several visits were made and bilateral agreements negotiated and/or signed in several sectors of common interest with bilateral partners such as the areas of trade, agriculture, labor exchange, health, education and infrastructure.

Regarding relations with neighboring countries, the Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs said that Burundi is continuing its diplomatic action with a view to normalizing relations with Rwanda. He also added that the Government of Burundi is concerned about the coordination and harmonization of peace and security initiatives in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In terms of peace and security in the world, his Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO affirmed that Burundi always stands on the side of solutions and not on the side of problems. He then recalled that Burundi remains committed to the peaceful settlement of conflicts through dialogue, cooperation, consultation and negotiation.

Regarding the issue of human rights, His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO said that Burundi reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, which are universal, indivisible, interdependent and intimately linked.

His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO ended his remarks by paying a deserved compliment to all the heads of diplomatic missions and the Representatives of International Organizations who will soon leave Burundi at the end of their missions. He praised the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation maintained and strengthened during their mandate, to the satisfaction of both countries and respective Organizations.

In his words of greetings, His Excellency the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Brigadier Matayo Kyaligonza, on behalf of the members of the diplomatic corps and on his own behalf, thanked and congratulated His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO for this briefing. He reaffirmed that the diplomatic corps will support all the Government projects aimed at strengthening the country’s development in all sectors.