In a significant diplomatic engagement, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs hosted Rwandan President Paul Kagame for a formal dinner on Wednesday night. The dinner, which marked the second day of President Kagame’s historic three-day visit to Latvia, was attended by high-level officials, including Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, and Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Bizimana Jean Damascene.
During the event, President Kagame expressed his gratitude to President Rinkēvičs for the warm reception, emphasizing the importance of the visit in strengthening ties between Rwanda and Latvia. “President Edgars Rinkēvičs, I once again thank you for hosting me and my delegation during this historic visit. I believe that Latvia and Rwanda have much to share, and we are ready to not only be friends but also partners,” Kagame stated.
Earlier, both leaders engaged in formal discussions that centered around bilateral cooperation, particularly in security, technology, and international partnerships. Kagame’s visit marks a historic first, as he is the first African head of state to visit Latvia. President Rinkēvičs hailed the visit as a critical moment for enhancing Latvia’s relations with Africa, pointing to potential collaborations in areas like information and communication technology (ICT).
“There are opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as ICT, which is supported by the growing presence of Latvian companies entering the African market,” Rinkēvičs noted, adding that the visit could pave the way for stronger business and diplomatic ties.
For President Kagame, the visit is a key moment to explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries. “Following my discussions with the President and the delegation we are here with, it is clear that Rwanda and Latvia have a strong friendship […] the purpose of this visit is to explore new opportunities that will benefit the people of both nations,” Kagame remarked.
In addition to their discussions on cooperation, the two leaders inaugurated a memorial honoring the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The memorial, located at Latvia’s National Library, also known as ‘The Castle of Light,’ serves as a somber reminder of the atrocities that occurred in Rwanda.
Reflecting on the genocide, President Rinkēvičs said, “Thirty years ago, the world witnessed one of its darkest moments. The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was a stark reminder of how hatred can poison human behavior. The atrocities of 1994 in Rwanda cannot be explained and must never be forgotten
