Germany embassy releases Köhler visit programme

KIGALI - The German Ambassador to Rwanda Christian Clages has released the detailed scheduled of President Horst Köhler who is expected in the country this week. The President of the Federal Republic of Germany Köhler will arrive in the country on Wednesday for a two-day state visit, aimed at strengthening the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. This will be Köhler’s first time to visit Rwanda since his election as the President of Germany in 2004. Ambassador Clages said that President Köhler will hold talks with his host President Paul Kagame on Wednesday and later with senior government officials. Addressing journalists over the weekend at his offices in Kigali, Clages said that apart from strengthening cooperation, the visit is also meant to see what Rwanda has achieved in as far as economic development is concerned. “It is also because of the country (Rwanda)’s importance in the politics of the Great lakes Region that has had life long conflicts,’ Clages said. President Köhler will be accompanied by two state ministers; Karin Kortman, Minister of State for Cooperation and Dagmar Woehrl, Minister of State for Economy. Others on the delegation are Bernard Bauger, a retired politician and the founder of the Jumelage in the country in 1982 and the State Secretary, Georg Boomgaarden. Chapel said that Köhler will tour Germany-sponsored projects countrywide including the Agro Germany Action projects and the Deutsche Welle (DW) radio in Kinyinya Sector. President Köhler and his delegation will visit various places including Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre, Gisozi where the remains of the 1994 Genocide victims are laid and the Youth Center of Kimisagara. Köhler will also tour Southern Province where he will meet Gacaca judges in Muhanga. The Gacaca judges will explain to Köhler how the system works. He will visit Muyonze Primary School, which is funded by the Germany government. “He is also to hold discussions with the students of the National University of Rwanda (UNR) on the role of youths in economic development during his tour,” Clages added.Ends