PRESS RELEASE

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, Wednesday 20 July 2005: The Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda accredited to the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E Zeno Mutimura paid a visit to the Headquarters of the East African Community today and held fruitful discussions with the Director General of the East African Community Customs and Trade Directorate, Mr. Peter Kiguta, who is also holding the portfolio for the Secretary General of the East African Community.

H.E Zeno Mutimura was accompanied to the EAC Headquarters by the First Counselor and also Special Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Mr. Alloys Mutabingwa.

While welcoming the two-man Rwanda delegation to the EAC Headquarters, the Director General of the East African Community Customs and Trade Directorate, Mr. Peter Kiguta, highlighted some of the major developments taking place in the integration process, notably the coming into force of the EAC Customs Union on 1st January 2005, operationalization of the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, infrastructure developments in the civil aviation, roads and meteorology, the construction of the EAC Headquarters, cooperation in legal and judicial affairs, and lastly the accreditation of the EAC to the African Union, as one of the officially recognized Regional Economic Communities (RECs).

The Director General briefed the Rwanda Envoys on the progress being made by the EAC towards the application of Rwanda to join the Community. He informed the Envoys that the Committee that undertook a Verification Mission to Kigali in February this year, has prepared a progress report, which will be presented to the EAC Council of Ministers in August 2005 for consideration.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E Zeno Mutimura, thanked the Director General for the warm reception and hospitality accorded to him and commended the EAC Secretariat for the enormous work done within a limited time that has led to important milestones in the regional integration process. He said his country was happy with the progress being made in processing its admission to the East African Community, saying, "EAC is a lifeline to Rwanda and accession to its membership is the right approach". The Ambassador assured the Director General of his country's readiness to be part of the Community and contribute towards its development.

The Envoy also briefed the Director General about the milestones being made by the Republic of Rwanda in restoring peace and democracy in the country.

The Republic of Rwanda is already actively participating in some of the EAC Projects and Programmes. In February 2004, the EAC and the Government of Rwanda signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the efficient management and sustainable development of the Lake Victoria Basin and its natural resources, poverty reduction and environment protection. Also, the Republic of Rwanda is involved in the Nile Equatorial Lake Subsidiary Action Programme, which emphasizes integrated water resources management on the three River Basins of Kagera, Mara and Sio-Malaba-Malakisi.

Information and Public Relations Office,

East African Community Headquarters,

Arusha, Tanzania.