EU officials arrive to assess impact of aid

KIGALI - The Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation, Charles Michel and the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, arrived in the country last evening on a three-day working visit. According to the EU delegation in Rwanda, the objective of this visit will be to assess the efficiency of Belgian and EU Development Aid in supporting the country’s efforts in attaining the MDGs. “The EU Commissioner for Development, and the Belgian Minister who is coming in his capacity as the co-chair of the EU, are coming to visit development projects to see the effectiveness of aid,” the Minister of Finance, John Rwangombwa said in an interview with The New Times. “There is a lot of debate going on in Europe on whether aid is working, whether countries are developing and doing good things out of aid, and Rwanda is one of the best examples if not the best example in using aid to achieve development”. The two officials will then submit a report to the EU based on their findings. According to Rwangombwa, the officials will be touring agricultural and social development projects funded by the EU around the country. Among other things, they will visit bench terraces and coffee stations in Shyorongi and Rulindo, the Mutobo Transit Camp, in Musanze Northern Province, Kigali Central Teaching Hospital (CHUK) and the Mpazi Ravine in Kigali. They will also pay tribute to the 10 fallen Belgian blue helmets at camp Kigali and to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at Gisozi Memorial Centre.The officials will also sign three Financing Agreements in the areas of Regional Integration (CEPGL), Institutional Support (Statistics and Public Financial Management), and Health. EU is one of Rwanda’s biggest development partners. Ends

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EU officials arrive to assess impact of aid