Local Government minister Francis Kaboneka has stressed the need to maintain constructive cooperation between Rwanda and the Germany state of Rhineland Palatinate.

Kaboneka was on Saturday meeting with Gunter Kern, the state secretary for interior, sports and infrastructure of Rhineland Palatinate, and his delegation that included members of the state parliament.

The delegation, that has been in the country since October 1o, left on Saturday.

"When the Rhineland Palatinate delegates come to Rwanda and Rwandans also visit Rhineland Palatinate, it signifies the value both countries attach to the existing partnership,” said Kaboneka.

Rwanda and Rhineland Palatinate partnership begun in 1982, and, since then, it has focused on knowledge and cultural exchange, friendship, humanitarian and developmental initiatives.

Minister Kaboneka thanked all stakeholders that have played a great role to keep Rwanda-Rhineland Palatinate partnership growing for the last 32 years.

The minister also affirmed Government of Rwanda’s commitment to implementing priority areas agreed upon during the 10th Joint Commission held in 2014 in Kigali for the period 2014-2018.

Rwanda and Rhineland Palatinate partnership for the period 2014-2018 will focus on vocational education and training, youth meetings and exchange programs, investment and trade, health, justice and law among others.

"It requires the efforts of us all to ensure that these priority areas are implemented as planned for a period of four years,” affirmed Kaboneka.

Gunter Kern, appreciated the socio-economic transformation that has been attained in different sectors of the economy.

Kern said they visited different places upcountry mostly schools, health centers, developmental initiatives and communities that have partnerships with their schools, associations and communities to see the progress of projects they support.

Kern and his delegation visited schools in Ruhango, Ngororero, Rubavu, Muhanga, Kayonza and Gisagara districts.

They also visited Bugesera District to see how the performance contracts-imihigo is implemented at local level.

They visited Nyagatare to launch Gakagati health centre, which they partly financed.

Kern pledged continued support and collaboration to realise implementation of agreed upon priorities as planned by partnership associations, schools, communities and institutions.

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