This Friday, January 29, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation His Excellency Ambassador Albert Shingiro accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, his Assistant and certain executives of the said Ministry was invited by the President of the Republic of Burundi His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye, accompanied by the First Lady Her Excellency Angeline Ndayishimiye at the New Year greetings ceremony with members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps accredited to Burundi, organized at the Ntare Rushatsi Palace.
In his speech, the President of the Republic of Burundi announced that he is delighted to start the year 2021 in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in all nooks and crannies of the country. And to add that in Burundi, the rule of law is consolidated more and more in all sectors of national life, that citizens have understood the value of harmonious life in society and have become real artisans of peace, tranquility and socio-economic development in the country.
The President also welcomed the results obtained after six months at the head of Burundi, through the implementation of the priorities pinned in the emergency, namely social peace, good governance, the fight against the pandemic of Covid-19, the revitalization of the agro-pastoral sector, the empowerment and capacity building of young people, the improvement of the conditions of retirees, as well as the repatriation of refugees.
The Head of State also said that this New Year greetings ceremony is taking place in a period that we can call “new days” in the political, social and economic life of the country. He also reiterated the Government’s commitment to strengthening, among other things, respect for human rights and good governance. “Our determination is that no crime can be committed and go unpunished whoever commits it,” he said.
As for relations with other countries and international organizations, more than five years later, HE Mr. Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE welcomed the fact that the time of divergences and unnecessary controversies gave way to a dynamic of complementarity and mutual understanding.
And to add that the workhorse of the Burundian Government is dialogue with our bilateral and multilateral partners.
The Head of State did not fail to announce that the wish of the Government of Burundi is that all the points of divergence and the gray areas observed in our relations with certain countries and organizations be a memory of the past, for from now on to tackle and face together the challenges of the moment in order to find solutions for a better future.
He once again stressed that only dialogue will allow a win-win cooperation based on mutual respect.
And as for the outlook for this year, the President of the Republic said that the Government plans to curb the challenges identified in the areas of good governance, the fight against corruption and citizen participation in the affairs of the country.
He further promised that all the Government’s efforts will be focused on the development of human capital, the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, education and social protection.
