Official visit of the President of the Confederation to Rwanda
Berne, 18.07.2007 - Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), has made an official visit to Rwanda, the last stage of her visit to Africa. In Kigali, Mrs. Calmy-Rey visited the memorial for the genocide victims, and she met with President Paul Kagame for bilateral talks. After a reunion with Swiss citizens living in Rwanda, Micheline Calmy-Rey traveled back to Switzerland on Wednesday.
At the invitation of His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, her Excellency Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation paid a one-day working visit to Rwanda on Wednesday 18th July 2007. The President was accompanied by a high level delegation.
In a warm and cordial atmosphere, the two Heads of State held fruitful discussions on a wide range of issues of bilateral, regional and international interest.
On bilateral issues, the two Leaders reviewed matters of mutual interest and exchanged views on modalities to strengthen the historical bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two peoples based on mutual interest.
The two Heads of State emphasized satisfaction in the consultations, held in Kigali in the margins of the summit at ministerial level. The two delegations made a mid-term review of the progress on cooperation as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. The two heads of State agreed on the need to elevate the cooperation to greater heights through transforming these consultations into a broader framework for reinforcing political and economic cooperation.
At the regional level, the two Heads of State reviewed the political, economic, social and security situation in the Great Lakes Region and on the African continent and pledged to work together in search for a just and lasting peace and prosperity in Africa.
On the political and security situation in the region, the two Presidents stressed the importance of the commitment of the International community to increase their effort in demobilizing the unauthorized forces so as to achieve lasting peace in the countries of the region.
At the end of the visit Her Excellency Micheline Calmy-Rey expressed her gratitude to His Excellency Paul Kagame and the people of Rwanda for the very warm and brotherly hospitality accorded to her and her delegation during their stay in Rwanda.
Her Excellency Micheline Calmy-Rey extended an invitation to His Excellency Paul Kagame to visit Switzerland. The dates will be communicated through diplomatic channels.
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