BUJUMBURA, Oct 7 (ABP) – The National Assembly held a plenary session on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the congress palace to analyze and adopt the bill for the ratification by the Republic of Burundi of the general agreement on economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation between the government of Burundi and that of Angola, regarding regular diplomatic consultations, signed in Luanda on April 27, 2025.
The minister of foreign affairs, regional integration, and development cooperation, Edouard Bizimana, was invited to present the rationale behind the bill. During his presentation, he recalled that the two countries had succeeded in formalizing the signing of an agreement aimed at strengthening their long-standing bilateral relations.
According to Bizimana, this historic agreement on regular diplomatic consultations between the two states has as its main objective the strengthening of direct communication and bilateral coordination to enhance cooperation between the two countries, in an African context that is rapidly evolving. It also aligns with Burundi’s commitment to multiplying partnerships in areas of critical importance to the country’s development.
He stated that the ratification of this agreement will open a new chapter in diplomatic relations between the two countries. This ratification will also establish a mechanism for regular consultations between the parties on matters of common interest, he emphasized.
On the geopolitical front, Bizimana noted that the Burundian Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye, made visits to Luanda as part of regional efforts to restore peace, security, and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through the Luanda and Nairobi processes.
He added that Angola and Burundi are currently serving on the African Union Bureau as president and first vice-president respectively, and are expected to maintain enhanced collaboration on issues of peace and development in Africa.
Bizimana stressed that both parties intended to demonstrate their willingness to strengthen, expand, and diversify their traditional relations of friendship and cooperation, and to adapt them to their needs by considering their respective potentials and capacities. They also planned to implement the general agreement on economic, scientific, technical, and cultural cooperation signed on April 27, 2010, in Luanda, Republic of Angola.
To enhance this important agreement, the two countries are preparing to organize a session of the joint cooperation commission during the current year, 2025, he added.
In response to a question from members of parliament who emphasized the need for capacity building in specific fields, particularly in education, Bizimana affirmed that this is included within the framework of the scientific cooperation agreement. Other concerns mentioned included improving the business environment, sustainable development and rural development, as well as strengthening the private sector.