Kagame strengthens ties with Azerbaijan during state visit to Baku

By The Inspirer.

President Paul Kagame began his official visit to Azerbaijan on September 20 with a formal welcome ceremony in Baku. The ceremony, held in a square adorned with the national flags of Rwanda and Azerbaijan, was led by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

A guard of honor presented itself to President Kagame, accompanied by the national anthems of both countries and a military parade. The two leaders then posed for official photographs before heading into a series of bilateral engagements.

President Kagame had arrived in Azerbaijan a day earlier, and his program included a one-on-one discussion with President Aliyev, followed by an expanded meeting over lunch with their respective delegations.

Talks between the two heads of state highlighted the strong political relations already existing between Rwanda and Azerbaijan, with both leaders expressing commitment to deepening cooperation in economic, trade, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.

Key areas of collaboration discussed included energy, agriculture, tourism, education exchanges, and Rwanda’s potential adoption of Azerbaijan’s acclaimed “ASAN Khidmet” public service delivery model. They also underscored the importance of expanding the legal and contractual framework that underpins bilateral relations.

The meeting concluded with the signing of five cooperation agreements covering agriculture, education, trade, air services, and public service delivery. Addressing the press after the signing, President Kagame emphasized the urgency of turning commitments into results:

“We want to undertake continued efforts and gain momentum in making sure that these cooperation efforts are productive for all of us. Mr. President, just know that you have friends in Africa, in Rwanda, so we want to use this opportunity of our cooperation and friendship between you and myself, and the two countries, to move fast forward in achievements of prosperity.”

As part of his visit, President Kagame also paid tribute to Azerbaijan’s past leaders and national heroes. On Saturday morning, he laid wreaths at the tomb of Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of Azerbaijan, and his wife Zarifa Aliyeva, at the Alley of Honor. He further honored the memory of those who died for Azerbaijan’s independence and territorial integrity at the Alley of Martyrs.