22 August 2008
Kigali — President Paul Kagame Thursday began a three-day official visit to Burundi. On his arrival at Akanyaru border post, Kagame was met by the president of the Burundi Senate, Pio Ntavyohanyuma and other government officials.
Kagame held official talks with Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza following welcoming ceremonies at the presidency.
In his remarks, Kagame said that he was pleased to visit the sister nation and to reciprocate Nkurunziza's state visit to Rwanda last April.
The President added that he was pleased that Burundi was his first port of call as the current chairman of the East African Community (EAC) which both countries joined together in June last year. Other members of the community are Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Kagame noted that both countries should work closely together within the other regional grouping, the Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries (CEPGL), an initiative that had benefits for the region.
He gave an example of IRAZ, a regional agricultural research institute established by the body. The DRC is the other member of CEPGL.
While in Burundi, President Kagame is also expected to meet members of the Burundi private sector.
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