Rwandans holding diplomatic and official passports could soon travel to Brazil visa-free, following an agreement signed between the two countries. This is according to a statement issued on October 6 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. As per the press release, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, made a two-day official visit to Brazil, from October 5 to 6. It indicated that this was the first high-level visit of its kind between the two countries. The primary objective of this visit was to reinforce bilateral cooperation and boost trade between Rwanda and Brazil, the ministry indicated. ALSO READ: Rwanda, Brazil enter air service cooperation It stated that Biruta held productive meetings with senior officials from the Brazilian Federal Government, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira. As part of the meetings, they signed two important agreements: one concerning the transfer of sentenced persons, and another Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at waiving visa requirements for holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports. In discussions with his counterpart, Minister Biruta underscored the great potential for cooperation in sectors of mutual interest, notably agriculture, trade, investment, and air services. “We have also agreed that a Rwandan business mission will visit Brazil in the near future. This visit will serve as a significant step towards deepening economic relations and fostering greater understanding between our nations,” he told members of the press in Brasilia. Meanwhile, concerning international affairs, Minister Biruta congratulated Brazil for its role as President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of October and exchanged views on pressing issues related to peace and security, particularly in the African Great Lakes region. They recognised the need for concerted efforts to address security challenges and to work together for the promotion of stability and prosperity in the region. They also discussed the critical issue of climate change and its far-reaching implications. Both nations share deep concerns about the impact of climate change on their respective regions and are committed to addressing this challenge through collaborative efforts. Brazil is the largest country in South America and Latin America and is the world's fifth-largest country by area and the seventh most populous. It has a gross domestic product of more than $2 trillion as of April 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Rwanda and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1981. In recent years, both countries have shown mutual interest in exploring ways to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance cooperation.
