Jean Michel Sama Lukonde, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo met with Alexander De Croo, Belgian Prime Minister in the margin of the royal visit in DRC

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Jean Michel Sama Lukonde, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo had a meeting with Alexander De Croo, Belgian Prime Minister, Tuesday June 07, 2022, a few hours after the arrival of the Belgian royal couple in the DRC



This meeting was held in two stages allowing several issues related to development and cooperation to be discussed by the authorities.

On the Belgian side, we noted the presence of the Minister for Cooperation, Meryam Kitir, the Secretary of State in charge of recovery and restitution, Thomas Dermine, and a few officials. The Congolese side was represented by the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Christophe Lutundula, the Minister of State in charge of Planning, Christian Mwando Nsimba, and the Minister of Justice, Rose Mutombo, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Jean-Lucien Bussa, and some members of the Prime Minister's Cabinet.

“This visit is important because, on the one hand in our relations, we have a whole history between us. Our King also wanted to indicate the fact that there are regrets over painful parts of our history. I think you have to look it straight in the eye. Not because we want to get lost in history but because we have to be able to shape the future together. And if we want to make the future together, I think it is important to agree on this future. Between our two countries, we have good things in common. We have a young population, which is progressing, which has ambition. Clearly, Belgium wants to be a partner. There are a lot of Belgian economic actors who want to come and invest in the DRC and who want to have more details on the business climate, the tax climate and the opportunities that are there. That, for me, is the real reason for being here. It's good to be able to look and see how to confront these Congolese aspirations and the challenges that we share together, "said Alexander De Croo to the press after the meeting.

For his part, the head of the Congolese government, Jean Michel Sama Lukonde stresses that the two countries must get closer, in particular by strengthening the capacities of young people.

“It is of course in this context that we received the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium. He is with us to discuss cooperation and questions for the future. Cooperation first, investment, not only in defense but also in justice where we think we need to get closer, building the capacities of young people and women. But we want more than that,” said Prime Minister Sama Lukonde.

It should be noted that the King of the Belgians will stay in the Democratic Republic of Congo from Tuesday, June 07 until June 13. The Belgian royal couple leads a strong delegation made up of officials and economic operators. Besides Kinshasa, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde will visit Lubumbashi, in the province of Haut-Katanga, and Bukavu in South Kivu.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor

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