Rwanda, Russia to mark 50 years of friendship

Russia is looking forward to further strengthening bilateral relations with Rwanda. Mikhail Leonidovich Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks yesterday while speaking to the media shortly after meeting President Paul Kagame in Village Urugwiro.

Mikhail Leonidovich Bogdanov

Bogdanov, who is in charge of relations with African countries, was in the country to explore possible areas of cooperation and enhance the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

“We discussed with the President how we can improve our existing friendly relations and agreed to strengthen political dialogue between our countries on international and regional issues,” he said.

He noted that Rwanda and Russia will next week celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations and it’s paramount to take the ties to even greater heights.

“We cooperate with Rwanda at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and we really appreciate the positions of Rwanda as a non permanent member of the council,” the Russian minister said. Russia is a permanent member on the Council.

He stated that his country is looking forward to support Rwanda in several areas of development, especially in the education sector by extending  more scholarships to Rwandan students to go for further studies in Russia.

Rwanda-Russia relations are based on technical cooperation, especially in the field of education, in general, and capacity building where Russia offers scholarships to Rwandan students.

About 800 Rwandan students have graduated from Russian universities over the last 50 years in various disciplines including law, medicine, international affairs and political science.

According to the minister, Russia is also seeking the support of Rwanda to host the World Expo in 2020 in the city of Yekaterinburg.

Bogdanov was in Uganda, South Sudan, Ghana, Congo, and Guinea before visiting Rwanda.

According to Louise Mushikiwabo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Rwanda and Russia have enjoyed friendly diplomatic relations for the last 50 years. The relations between Rwanda and Russia were officially established on October 17, 1963.

“We have existing friendly relations with Russia but we need to improve the relations and cooperate in several areas,” she added.

Source:The New Times