EU Head of Delegation concludes his tour in Rwanda

Ambassador Michel Arrion, the outgoing head of delegation of the European Union has concluded his tour of duty in Rwanda.

He bid farewell to President Kagame in Kigali, on October 7, 2013.

During his meeting with President Kagame, Amb. Arrion said: “We believe that Rwanda’s development strategy is so good and all we have is to support it.

“It is important to note that the EDPRS strategy is quite good and we and indeed other development partners are willing to respond positively,” He said.

Arrion said that within two weeks they would be announcing another long term development package, of a magnitude above the previous ones.

“Ownership is taken very seriously and it’s the people who are developing their country – its action and practice and development partners really want to develop itself by stating their priorities where they need support.”

Rwanda-EU relations date back to the mid-1980s, but have been significantly strengthened over the years. The main activities of the Delegation are to support development programmes of both Government and Civil Society. The

Government of Rwanda and EU worked closely together especially on the agenda of the cooperation programme in line with the national Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS).

Arrion has a long career at the European Commission since 1982 where he served in different positions.

Before his posting to Rwanda in 2010, Arrion served from 2005 to 2009, as Head of EU Delegation in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia.

On 4th October 2013, the Government of Rwanda and the European Union signed a financing agreement worth €40 million (Rwf 35.3 billion) for the rehabilitation and maintenance of 700km of feeder roads in the rural areas to strengthen the road networks and improve the country’s food security by making it easier for food producers to reach their markets.

EU Head of Delegation concludes his tour in Rwanda