The European Union (EU) joins Rwandans to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said, on Sunday.

A declaration by the British Labour politician on behalf of the economic and political union of 28 member states located primarily in Europe states: "We must never forget our collective failure to protect the victims.

"The EU paid tribute to the strength and determination of the people of Rwanda who have transformed their lives and country against enormous odds.

"We salute the efforts made to achieve national reconciliation and to secure justice as the new foundations of the Rwandan nation,” Ashton said.

She said that the Great Lakes region, which has suffered for too long from conflict, should benefit from the lessons of Rwanda’s reconciliation process.  

The EU, she said, considers Rwanda essential for the stability of the region.