The governments of Rwanda and Turkey yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that provides a cooperation framework between the two countries.The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, signed the agreement with the visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Besir Atalay.It emphasises the common desire to strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries and to promote mutual understanding.The development came barely months after Turkish Airlines launched tri-weekly flights between Kigali and Istanbul. Addressing journalists, Mushikwabo said the agreement provides a cooperation framework in various sectors such as, energy, security, tourism, education, air transport, health, capacity building and infrastructure, among others.“Both countries recently had active exchanges, mostly in the areas of trade and investment, but we thought it would be important to create a legal diplomatic framework that allows both countries to go into specific sectors of development,” she stated.“Turkey is an emerging economic and political power and this will expand Rwanda’s presence in the Middle East.”Mushikiwabo stated the since Turkey is strategically located between Europe and Asia, it brings Rwanda to a part of the world where it was not well established before.She noted that apart from the signing of MoU, they discussed the opening of their respective embassies soon.“I am very pleased to sign such an agreement which establishes the base for our future and for the development of our valuable relations. I wish that this agreement helps us to bring good relationship in the future, “said Atalay.Earlier, the Deputy Turkish Prime Minister met Prime Minister Dr Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, with whom they discussed various issues of bilateral cooperation between Rwanda and Turkey.Speaking to The New Times shortly after meeting Habumuremyi, Atalay said, Turkey was mostly interested in investing in infrastructure in Rwanda.The signing of the MoU follows a recent visit by Turkish investors who were in the country on a fact finding mission to explore potential areas of investment.The group from Koza and Ipek Holding and Limak Holding group of companies, led by Akin Ipek, Chairman of Koza and Ipek, was interested in investing in the areas of mining, media, tourism, construction and education.Earlier this year, President Paul Kagame visited Turkey at the invitation of members of the Turkish business community.During his tour, Kagame met prominent Turkish business people and invited them to invest in Rwanda.
