Nigeria, Rwanda sign air agreement, others

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Latest Politics Thursday, October 6th, 2011

Nigeria and Rwanda have formalized their relationship by signing a bilateral agreement that would strengthen the ties between the two countries. This was even as the Rwandan Government through it’s ministry of health had requested that the next batch of the Technical Aid Corp (TAC), be composed of specialists in general surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics and neurosurgery.

In a communique read by Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushik’wabo, the two countries entered into an agreement to enhance cooperation through bilateral meetings and reciprocal visits, to consolidate democratic processes in African countries as well as promote peace, stability and development on the continent. Both countries also agreed to exchange programmes and ensure the socio-economic transformation of the peoples of the two sister states in areas such as infrastructure, energy, ICT, education and health and to expeditiously implement the decisions and recommendations contained in the signed General Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation.

Speaking shortly after the reading communiqué, President Goodluck Jonathan said it was important to solidify the already existing relationship between Nigeria and Rwanda, because the world was gradually becoming a global village and leaders must continue to interact with one another. Both countries he said, would concentrate on areas that would aid the expansion of the economies of both countries. He said the meeting afforded them the opportunity to compare notes, as both countries had a common experience in the past and therefore had to work together, adding that this afford Nigeria the opportunity of checking out areas of emulation.

According to Jonathan, “It is obvious my coming is to further tighten the brotherly relationship between the two countries and between myself and President Paul Kagame. You know the world is becoming smaller and smaller, the concept of the global village and every day the boundary gets thinner and thinner and leaders must continue to discuss to see how we can make sure we accelerate economic development within our two states”.

He noted that NEPAD allow member countries to compare notes, which afford the opportunity of seeing the areas of cooperation.
“Rwanda has done very well in terms of public health and so on and these are areas that Nigeria can emulate and see the success story.” As part of the bilateral talks the President said “We are talking about issues of Bilateral Air service Agreement (BASA) how will the Rwandan line operate, will it go to Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna or Port Harcourt.”

Earlier the Rwandan President Kagame, had said the visit of President Jonathan afforded the two countries the opportunity to discuss on issues relation to both countries as well as the African continent. He also noted that “the people of Rwanda and Nigeria share similar aspirations to overcome the past and create for themselves a prosperous and dignified future. We also share the commitment to work towards a stable dynamic Africa that contributes meaningfully to the global economy”.

-Sunwp_posts