Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere on Sunday arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), for an official visit to ease tensions over comments by a European diplomat.
DR Congo's Foreign Ministry said the Belgian chief diplomat is on a one-week tour of Central Africa which will also take him to Rwanda and Burundi.
"This is his first visit to Central Africa in general and DR Congo in particular since he took over as the foreign affairs minister," a senior official in the Congolese Foreign Ministry said.
During his stay in DR Congo, the official said, the Belgian minister will hold talks with Congolese President Joseph Kabila, Prime Minister Antoine Gizeng and Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe Muamba.
Local media said the previous day that Kabila had no plan to meet Vanackere although the Foreign Ministry denied the diplomatic problem between the two countries.
The Belgian Foreign Ministry said Venackere will on Wednesday visit Goma, the main town of DR Congo's North Kivu province, before crossing over the Congolese-Rwandan border to go to Gisenyi in Rwanda.
The Congolese newspaper Observateur reported that the visit by the Belgian foreign minister is aimed at normalizing diplomatic relations between Belgium and DR Congo.
"This visit shows the desire by Belgium to continue having cordial relations with DR Congo," Observateur said.
"The correct relations with the Congolese authorities is very important because it is through this that Belgium will continue giving its aid for development and governance of DR Congo," the Belgian foreign minister explained.
A former Belgian colony, DR Congo gained its independence on June 30, 1960.
DR Congo recently declared European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel de Gucht, a Belgian, "persona non grata" after he told the European Parliament on Dec. 16 that the Congolese leaders were "inappropriate" partners and that the aid given to the country by the international community was a "waste."
In April 2008, Gucht visited DR Congo in the capacity of Belgian foreign minister. He publicly denounced the country for corruption and lack of transparency in the exploitation of mineral resources.
The government reacted by recalling its ambassador and closing down the two Belgian consulates in DR Congo. The disagreement lasted for nine months. On Jan. 6, on the airwaves of a Belgian radio, Gucht was trying to justify his remarks. "I spoke several times in a diplomatic manner that things were not going on well in DR Congo and that the population was paying a heavy price for this. I think I can now say that in a much correct and clear manner."