Rwanda, Kenya map stronger ties

Senior Government officials from Rwanda and Kenya have reiterated the need to put into action decisions agreed upon, saying this will further cement the existing excellent relations between both countries. The officials made the remarks yesterday at the opening of the Seventh Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) framework between the two countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “I wish to emphasize that we should not just meet as a matter of routine. We need to follow-up and focus on implementation of agreed decisions and recommendations,” Ambassador Eugene Munyakayanza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. “This is a very critical point that this meeting needs to seriously discuss and come up with concrete recommendations.” His Kenyan counterpart, Thuita Mwangi, observed that although remarkable success has been registered in several sectors, implementation of agreed programs has been slow, particularly at focal point ministries. Mwangi told a host of delegates that the several challenges that had led to the sluggishness would be solved through regular consultations between both countries. “I would like to implore you to devote most of your time to discussing implementation, and come up with timeframes for implementing various projects and programs that we have agreed to undertake,” he said. On trade, the Kenyan official observed that the abolition of visa requirements by both countries had led to a large increment in the volume of trade between Rwanda and Kenya. He said that the waiver of resident visa and work permit fees by both countries had allowed cross-border movements by nationals searching for employment. “Rwanda has become a preferred destination by Kenyans for business and investment opportunities,” Mwangi said. The session which closes today, is discussing among other key areas of cooperation; health, education, agriculture, security and justice, trade and investment and tourism. The Seventh session of the Rwanda Kenya- Joint Permanent Commission convened at the Serena Hotel from 10th-12th July 2008. The session will review the implementation process of the recommendations and decisions taken during the last JPC Ends

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Rwanda, Kenya map stronger ties