Joint Statement on Bilateral Cooperation
Rwanda and Denmark are committed to strengthening bilateral dialogue and partnership in
multiple areas. This includes support to Rwanda’s economic and social development, including
in areas such as climate and environment, good governance, to the implementation of Rwanda’s
progressive refugee policies in line with the two Memoranda of Understanding on Asylum and
Migration Issues and Political Consultations respectively signed in April 2021.
To support the expanding bilateral partnership, Denmark will open a Project Office in Kigali in
2022, which will be manned by two diplomats.
Rwanda and Denmark are jointly exploring the establishment of a program through which
spontaneous asylum seekers arriving in Denmark may be transferred to Rwanda for
consideration of their asylum applications and protection, and the option of settling in Rwanda.
Any such agreement will be in full accordance with the two countries’ respective international
obligations, including regarding refugees and protection of human rights. The dialogue between
Rwanda and Denmark on this issue is already well underway and the parties are committed to
continuing to explore the possibilities of entering into a formal agreement.
The current global asylum and migration system is dysfunctional and a new approach is required.
Asylum seekers and migrants with sufficient resources are using human traffickers to move
along the migratory routes, while the most vulnerable refugees remain in their regions of origin.
The irregular movements operated by human traffickers also affect the security situation in
countries along the migration routes and risk undermining public trust in the international
system for protection of refugees. There is a need to address the root causes of irregular
migration in countries of origin and transit, including the stark imbalance in human capital
opportunities between Europe and Africa.
Rwanda and Denmark will jointly reach out to relevant stakeholders, including UNHCR, IOM, the
African Union and the European Commission, to facilitate international dialogue on the
envisaged initiative for spontaneous asylum seekers.