President Paul Kagame has arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan, for a two-day working visit.
Upon arrival, the Head of State was received at the airport by his counterpart, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
On Wednesday, May 28, President Kagame is scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting with President Tokayev, followed by a joint press conference.
President Kagame will also deliver a speech at the Astana International Forum, a prominent global gathering.
His visit to this Central Asian nation follows an earlier trip by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, who arrived in the country ahead of the President.
On Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan reported that Minister Nduhungirehe held a meeting with his Kazakhstani counterpart, Murat Nurtleu.
The two foreign ministers discussed various key issues, including politics, the economy, culture, and humanitarian cooperation.
Minister Nurtleu emphasized that Kazakhstan considers Rwanda a friend and a valuable African partner. He said:
“We view Rwanda as a friendly nation and an important partner in Africa. I’m confident that our joint efforts will ensure that President Kagame’s visit opens a new chapter in our bilateral relations.”
President Kagame’s visit is expected to result in the signing of cooperation agreements between the two countries in trade, technology, and defense.
This visit follows a meeting between President Kagame and President Tokayev in November last year in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they discussed strengthening economic cooperation in various sectors for the benefit of both nations’ citizens.
Rwanda and Kazakhstan formally established diplomatic relations in 2016, when Rwanda appointed a representative to the country.
In September 2024, during the UN General Assembly in New York, Ministers Nduhungirehe and Nurtleu signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements for citizens of both countries, facilitating easier travel.
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President Kagame was received at the airport by President Tokayev.
On Wednesday, he will address participants at the Astana International Forum.
