JOINT COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE

END OF THE THREE DAY VISIT TO MALAWI BY

HIS EXCELLENCY PAUL KAGAME,

PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

1. At the invitation of His Excellency Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, President of the Republic of Malawi, His Excellency Mr.Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, paid a State Visit to Malawi from 3rd to 5 th September 2007.

2. Upon arrival at the Kamuzu International Airport, His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame was received by His Excellency Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, Cabinet Ministers, Government Officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party among other dignitaries.

3. His Excellency President Mr. Paul Kagame was accorded a Military Salute of honour.

4. In the afternoon, His Excellency President Mr Paul Kagame visited the Lilongwe Civic Offices where he was conferred the highest honour of the Freedom of the City of Lilongwe.

5. In the evening, His Excellency President Mr. Paul Kagame was guest of honour at a State Banquet, hosted by His Excellency, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika at the New State House, Lilongwe.

6. In the morning, of 4th of September, 2007, His Excellency Mr. Paul Kagame and His Excellency Dr Bingu wa Mutharika held private talks followed by luncheon during which they exchanged views on wide range of issues on Africa, the region and their two countries.

7. In the afternoon of the same day, His Excellency Mr Paul Kagame accompanied by His Excellency Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika visited and officially opened the newly re-constructed dual carriage Highway, in the City of Lilongwe which was named after His Excellency President Mr Paul Kagame.

8. In the evening of 4th September, 2007, His Excellency President Mr Paul Kagame, and His Excellency President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika were guests of honour at a Cultural Evening Event held at the Capital Hotel where they were entertained to traditional dances.

9. In their key statements, His Excellency President Kagame, and His Excellency President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika emphasized on the need to strengthen the existing relations between their two countries, noting that both Malawi and Rwanda were eager to enter into a partnership in order to promote economic cooperation bilaterally and through their Membership to COMESA and the African Union.

10. The two countries agreed to cooperate in trade and investment, agricultural production, tourism, cultural exchanges and refugee issues. In this vein, they pledged to open up their markets in order to encourage investments and promote trade between the people of their countries. Rwanda expressed a wish to explore possibilities of purchasing sugar from Malawi.

11. Their Excellencies took note of the tremendous achievements made by the peoples of the two countries, and cited their countries achievements in reaching requirements of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Programme.

12. They further agreed to encourage cultural exchanges and visits between the peoples of the two countries through tourism and other sectors

13. His Excellency President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika commended the resilience, bravery and patriotism espoused by the People of Rwanda in overcoming enormous hurdles to rebuild their economy and restoring trust and confidence through national reconciliation.

14. Regarding the challenge of being landlocked countries, the two leaders emphasized on the need to develop regional infrastructure, to facilitate trade and investment, regardless of the size of their economies or levels of development.

15. The two countries further agreed to endeavour to render each other mutual support in bilateral, regional and international fora.

16. His Excellency President Mr Paul Kagame extended an invitation to His Excellency President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika to visit Rwanda. The dates of the visit will be determined through the normal diplomatic channels.

Done at Lilongwe on this 5th day of September, 2007.