President Isaac Herzog received the diplomatic credentials of Rwanda’s new Ambassador to Israel, Maj Gen Emmanuel Bayingana.
The ceremony was held at the President’s Residence on Monday, according to a post on X by the Israeli presidency.
“President Herzog highlighted the warm friendship and growing cooperation between Israel and Rwanda in many fields, including innovation, agriculture, development, and education,” the presidency said.
Bayingana retired from active military service in July and was honoured during an official Rwanda Defence Force send-off ceremony at the RDF headquarters in Kigali.
Rwanda and Israel established diplomatic relations shortly after Rwanda gained independence in 1962. The relationship was interrupted in 1973 but was later restored.
Rwanda reopened its resident embassy in Israel in 2015, while Israel opened its first resident embassy in Kigali in April 2019.
Agriculture is among the principal areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Joint programmes have included practical training for Rwandan students, agricultural technology transfer and the establishment of the Rwanda-Israel Horticulture Centre of Excellence.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10