The Italian Ambassador to Rwanda Domenico Fornara, with a residence in Uganda, visited Rwanda National Police yesterday where he was received by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Emmanuel K. Gasana.

Amb. Domenico was also accompanied by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage.

While speaking to the media, shortly after meeting the Police Chief, the Italian envoy noted that Rwanda’s relationship with Italy in different sectors including security continues to thrive.

"It’s always a pleasure to be here in Kigali. Ever since I was accredited to this beautiful country, I had open doors and extremely warm welcome from authorities,” Amb. Domenico said.

"Today, I met the IGP following two meetings he had with the Commander General of Carabiniere; we are also shaping up relations in the security sector, which is part of the MoU between Rwanda and Carabiniere police forces, with a long list areas of mutual interest and cooperation,” he added.

"So, I had a fruitful discussion with the IGP on the way forward after the MoU was signed. All this falls under a wider umbrella of excellent relations that I have personally witnessed with Rwanda in the last 18 months since I assumed the functions of the ambassador to Rwanda.”

RNP and the Italian police – Carabinieri – early this month signed a cooperation agreement which mainly focuses on exchanging best practices and capacity building of the police forces.

The pact binds the two police institutions in the priority fields of counter terrorism, public order management, traffic and road safety; Peace Support Operations, aviation security, helicopter operations and cybercrime investigations, among others.

The agreement is the first of its kind at defense and security level between Italy and Rwanda.

"A long list of initiatives is coming up that are very fruitful and beneficial for both countries,” the envoy said.