RUBAVU - The visiting Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister, Steven Vanackebe, pledged his country’s financial support to projects undertaken by the Economic Community of Great Lakes region (CEPGL) that are designed to foster development and stability within the region.

Vanackebe made the commitment yesterday during a visit to the bloc’s secretariat in Rubavu district, Western Province. 

"We wish to channel our support first in the capacity building of the members of the secretariat and some of the initiatives to change lives of the people in the region,” Vanackebe said

Gabriele Toyi, the Executive Secretary of CEPGL, said that the Belgian support in relevant sectors had come in at a crucial moment.

"He has promised support in the areas of infrastructure, peace and security and agriculture,” Toyi said. "We are definitely satisfied with his visit,” 

According to Toyi, the infrastructure projects which need urgent attention are Rusizi III, and Rusizi IV which are meant to boost the region’s electricity, and various road construction projects connecting the member countries.

CEPGL is comprised of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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