A delegation of MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) from the Committee on Development is in Rwanda to meet with the government, EU member states delegations, Rwandan MPs, civil society and the private sector.
The Committee on Development delegation to Rwanda, from 1-4 November, takes place at a time when MEPs are working to contribute to the selection of EU programming priorities for the next seven years, under the new multi-annual budget.
Discussing the impact of COVID-19 on Rwanda
Delegation MEPs visited a number of EU-funded development projects, including those focused on education and vocational training and agriculture, in order to see first-hand how these projects operate and what the challenges Rwanda faces. The visit also included an exchange with Rwanda’s Health Minister, where the discussions focused on how Rwanda dealt with COVID-19 as well as the country’s plan to become a vaccine-manufacturing hub for the African continent.
The delegation was also received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs where an open and frank discussion took place on the issue of EU-Africa relations and the upcoming post-Cotonou agreement, which will be debated in the Committee in the coming months, as well as on relations with neighbouring countries and the question of human rights.
Civil society and business meetings
Meetings also took place with civil society groups to discuss biodiversity and environmental issues and the management of natural resources. Rwanda is hosting a UNHCR flagship transit mechanism for refugees evacuated from Libya that is partly financed by the EU, and which MEPs had an opportunity to visit. Representatives from the business sector met with the delegation where discussions focused on the favourable business environment and investment strategies for the country.
Norbert Neuser, MEP leading the delegation, said: “Rwanda is a priority country and a good partner for the Parliament’s development committee. I want to acknowledge the huge progress made in the country, particularly with regard to human development. We have very good cooperation with Rwanda which we will seek to strengthen, particularly on priority sectors of health and education. We will continue to maintain dialogue on a range of issues.”(End)