Rwanda: Ethiopia hosts JPC

In June 2012, the delegation of experts from Rwanda and Ethiopia met for the 1st session of Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) held in Kigali from 27 to 28 June, 2012 in order to formalize existing issues between the two countries.

The two delegations headed by, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mary BAINE on Rwandan side and the Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mr. Wondimu Asamnew.

Mary BAINE, said the meeting was the first session of a JPC between the two countries ”we share historical relations of cooperation and that it is a great pleasure to start this cooperation formally.”

BAINE added that, it is important for the two countries to formalize the cooperation in a more structured and consistent framework for effective, monitoring and evaluation of how we handle our business.”

“Everybody should at least go back with determination and implement what we have agreed.”

At the occasion they agreed on various issues including general cooperation agreement, Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership, the Establishment of a Joint Permanent Commission as well as Draft Move on defense and military , police cooperation, correctional /prisons services, immigration, infrastructure, water and energy, aviation authorities, water and energy, agriculture, natural resources and environment, education, health, gender, youth, ICT, sports and culture, which will be adopted and signed during the ministerial meeting.

The Head of Ethiopian delegation, Mr. Wondimu Asamnew, expressed his thanks and his impression about Rwanda.

“We are impressed by what we have seen the last three days. We know from where you have started, you started from the scratch and really you have done miracle in terms of changing your country, in terms of healing your wounds. I think many countries can learn from your experience.”

He also highlighted that the two countries have enjoyed a long standing historical relationship both at people to people and government to government level.

“So I think given the similarity of values and objectives we have, we can do a lot; we can be an example for our African brothers” Observed, Mr. Wondimu Asamnew.