Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, is on a working visit to Brussels, Belgium, where he met with Belgian Vice-Premier Minister and Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot. The two officials discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between their countries, with a focus on aligning their partnership with Burkina Faso's national priorities. This visit marks a significant development in the bilateral relations between Burkina Faso and Belgium.
During their meeting, Traoré and Prévot praised the strong commitment of both countries to enhancing their cooperation, which stands in contrast to the withdrawal of some Western partners. The Burkinabé Foreign Minister commended Belgium's approach, which he described as a partnership between equals, based on respect for sovereignty. Traoré expressed satisfaction with the frank and sincere exchanges they had, covering bilateral cooperation, its prospects, and sub-regional issues.
Prévot noted that the visit provided an opportunity to celebrate decades of cooperation between Belgium and Burkina Faso, which will continue to intensify. He stated that Belgium is aware of Burkina Faso's 2026-2030 RELANCE strategy and plans to align its cooperation with the priorities set by the Burkinabé government. This approach reflects a commitment to respecting Burkina Faso's sovereignty in defining its own priorities.
The two ministers discussed the future of cooperation between their countries, with a focus on consolidating achievements and preparing for new developments. Belgium has renewed its commitment to providing financial support to Burkina Faso after 2027, with a pledge of €40 million through the Belgian International Cooperation Agency (Enabel). This commitment underscores Belgium's dedication to supporting Burkina Faso's development.
In addition to his meeting with Prévot, Traoré will hold talks with officials from the European Commission to present Burkina Faso's new vision for partnerships. He will also engage with representatives from Enabel and Bio Invest, as well as meet with the Burkinabé community in Belgium. These interactions aim to strengthen the existing cooperation framework and explore new avenues for collaboration.
This visit by Traoré to Brussels follows a similar visit by Prévot to Ouagadougou in August, demonstrating the dynamism of the cooperation between Burkina Faso and Belgium. The two countries are committed to building a strong and sustainable partnership that aligns with Burkina Faso's national priorities. This renewed commitment reflects a mutual desire to strengthen their bilateral ties.
The visit is seen as a positive development in the relations between Burkina Faso and Belgium, with both countries seeking to enhance their cooperation in various areas. The engagement between the two ministers and other stakeholders is expected to yield concrete outcomes that will benefit both nations. The partnership between Burkina Faso and Belgium serves as a model for cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereignty.
Key points
- Belgium pledges €40 million to support Burkina Faso's development after 2027.
- The two countries commit to aligning their partnership with Burkina Faso's national priorities.
- The visit marks a significant development in the bilateral relations between Burkina Faso and Belgium.
