APA-Kigali (Rwanda) Kigali and Brazzaville have vowed to forge stronger ties in the wake of the working visit by Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou-Nguesso who held talks with his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame on improving trade relations.
At the invitation of President Kagame, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso arrived in Kigali on Friday for a state visit from July 21 to 22 during which where he also addressed parliament.
The visit follows that of President Kagame to Congo-Brazzaville, from April 11 to 13, 2022.
President Sassou Nguesso who was flanked by a high delegation of officials and members of business community from Congo-Brazzaville was received by Kagame on his arrival at Kigali International airport , where he was accorded a guard of honor.
During the previous visit by President Kagame to Congo last year, the two leaders witnessed then the signing of agreements in areas of economic cooperation, trade and cultural exchange during the bilateral meeting.
The signed agreements revolved around economic partnership for the promotion and protection of investment, mining, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and handcrafts, culture and arts, as well as youth, sport, and civic education.
The Congolese government had requested that Rwandan refugees return home because there was peace in their country.
This was before Rwanda scrapped the refugee status for citizens living abroad in 2018.
In 2021, delegations from both countries convened in Kigali and signed agreements that would remove double taxation and visa requirements to ease trade between both countries.
They also signed agreements around military, education, and land management.
CU/APA