Serious steps toward the future
Armenia and Rwanda have many commonalities and a similar history. Both countries have passed through several challenges, but at the same time, they have many advantages which can turn into success.
Milestones in Armenian-Rwandan Relations
Armenian-Rwandan diplomatic relations were established on March 29, 2004. These relations provided an opportunity for close cooperation between the two countries.
On April 6, 2019, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, who was in Kigali on an official visit, met with Richard Sezibera, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Rwanda. Sezibera considered it symbolic that the official visit of the Foreign Minister of Armenia is taking place at the same time as the events dedicated to the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide.
This visit paved the way for the two counterparts to collaborate in various fields, including digital economics, information technology, creative education, and innovation. In addition, he emphasized the collaboration on international platforms between Armenia and Rwanda towards genocide prevention through the cooperation between the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute and the Museum of the Rwandan Genocide.
On November 25, 2021, the new Rwandan ambassador to Armenia, Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, presented his credentials to President Armen Sarkissian. The Armenian President said that the two countries have coincidental interests.
The achievements of Rwanda in electronic governance and new technologies are impressive, and according to him, the partnership in these areas could be promising. He added that he links Armenia’s future with the development of modern technologies, science, and education, highlighting the implementation of joint innovation and research projects, besides cooperation in high technologies and innovations.
On July 11, 2022, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan received the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, Vincent Biruta, and the delegation.
Pashinyan valued Armenia-Rwanda cooperation within the International Organization of La Francophone, expressing hope that it will also contribute to developing bilateral relations. He recalled his contacts with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, during his visit to Armenia on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, reaffirming the readiness to deepen the partnership. They exchanged ideas about cooperation within the OIF, and the prospects of developing bilateral commercial ties, and emphasized the tourism sector as an area of interest.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
