The outgoing Burundian ambassador to Rwanda, Remy Sinkazi, yesterday, paid a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame to bid farewell following the end of his tour of duty.

The envoy discussed with the President about relations between the two countries.Speaking after meeting at Urugwiro Village, Sinkazi who has served as his country’s envoy to Rwanda for the last four years, said he is happy to have accomplished his mission and that, today, the two countries ‘enjoy cordial relations’.

"A lot has been achieved in terms of bilateral relations between our countries. My major achievement has been lobbying for Rwandans who worked in Burundi to get their pension. Most of them have received their money and the few who are remaining will be paid soon,” he said.

The envoy defended his country’s reported slow pace in the East African Community integration process, saying that Burundi is very a committed partner state.

He said his government had major issues to solve internally which may have affected its involvement in the integration projects.

"We joined the EAC when we had just come out of war; we have to rebuild the nation as well as get involved in regional integration matters which affects the pace at which we are moving,” he said.