Joint communiqué issued at the end of the visit of Rwandan president to Sudan

KHARTOUM, Feb 24, 2005 (SUNA) — Following the Sudan News Agency publishes text of joint communiqué at the conclusion of the visit of H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, to the Republic of Sudan 22nd. – 24th. February 2005:-

“At the kind invitation of H.E. Omer Hassan Ahmed Al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan, H.E. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, paid and official visit to the Republic of Sudan from 22nd to 24th February 2005.

H.E. President Kagame was accompanied by Honorable Charles Murigande, Minister of Foreign Affairs and a high-level delegation.” H.E. President Al-Bashir and senior government ministers and officials received H.E. President Paul Kagame, and his delegation at Khartoum international airport.

The two Presidents held official talks where they examined bilateral relations and expressed their determination to foster cooperation and consultation in political, economic, cultural, technical and scientific fields. To that end an agreement establishing a joint Ministerial Commission between Sudan and Rwanda was signed. They also agreed to continue to coordinate their efforts in regional and international arenas.

H.E. President Al Bashir briefed H.E. President Kagame on the ongoing efforts on reconstruction and economic and social development in Sudan. He also briefed H.E. President Kagame on the conclusion of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Southern Sudan and on the situation in Darfur and the related negotiations conducted in both Abuja (Nigeria) and N’djamena (Chad).

H.E. President Kagame expressed his appreciation for the briefing and commended the positive development in various domains in the Republic of Sudan, in particular, the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Southern Sudan. He also expressed his support to the efforts of the African Union and the Government of Sudan to realize peace and stability in Darfur.

H.E. President Kagame briefed President Al Bashir on the achievement of political and social reconciliation, the economic development in the Republic of Rwanda as well as the latest situation and developments in the Great Lakes region.

During His stay, His Excellency President Kagame visited Darfur and met with relevant A.U. mission representatives, local authorities, visited IDP camps and addressed the A.U. military contingent. He encouraged the Sudanese government to continue its efforts to end the conflict in Darfur through peaceful negotiations under the auspices of the A.U.

The two Presidents exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the A.U. and enhance its efforts to address the African challenges and aspirations. In this context, they expressed the necessity to reinforce political, economic and social cooperation between the African counties in order to maintain African solidarity. ”

H.E. President Paul Kagame received, at his residence, H.E. the First Vice President, H.E. the Vice President and the Secretary General of the National Congress Party. The meetings examined ways and means of strengthening bilateral cooperation and political relations.

H.E. President Kagame extended an invitation to H.E. President Al-Bashir to visit the Republic of Rwanda and renewed the invitation to him to attend the forthcoming Summit of the COMESA in Rwanda. H.E. President Al Bashir welcomed the invitation, the date of which will be arranged through diplomatic channels. He also confirmed his attendance of the COMESA Summit in June 2005 and promised to be accompanied by a high level business oriented delegation in order to explore commercial and trading opportunities.

At the end of his visit, H.E. President Kagame expressed his gratitude to H.E. President Al-Bashir, to the government and people of the Sudan for the warn welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation, which reflected the friendly relations between the two peoples.