Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Democratic Republic of Congo-Rwanda Regional Economic Integration Framework Signing Ceremony

SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, thank you.  Thank you both for being here today.  We’re excited to enter into these agreements, both bilaterally and with all three countries as well.  It’s four separate agreements that seek to put in place strong infrastructure for ongoing cooperation, both in the economic and security realm.  And obviously, like every deal that’s signed, the implementation is going to be critical, but we hope it shows, in conjunction with what was signed earlier today, the U.S. commitment to be a partner to both the Democratic Republic of Congo and to Rwanda for many years to come on both the security and economic realm in a way that’s mutually beneficial.  As the President just stated a moment ago, our desire is not simply peace – it is peace but also prosperity.  We want both of your countries to be as prosperous and secure as they have ever been, and we look forward to turning the agreements that we will be signing here today into reality and look forward to this exciting partnership that we’re establishing between our respective countries together.

Thank you.  Thank you both for being here very much.  Thank you.  (Applause.)