“On the sixtieth anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo, I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to you and the Congolese people.
This anniversary is an excellent opportunity to reconfirm our friendly ties. We look forward to the intense cooperation between our two countries in various fields, especially in the medical field. Today the pandemic demands our full attention on top of all other challenges. The privileged partnership between Belgium and Congo is a strong asset to deal with that. On the occasion of your national holiday, I would like to confirm our commitment to this partnership.
In order to strengthen our ties and deepen the friendship between our countries, we must be able to speak openly and serenely about our long shared history.
This history consists of common achievements, but also of painful episodes. At the time of the Congo Free State, acts of violence and atrocity were committed that continue to weigh on our collective memory. During the ensuing colonial period, suffering was also inflicted and humiliations were inflicted. I continue to express my deepest regrets for those past wounds. Wounds that are painfully tangible again nowadays through acts of discrimination, are still too strong in our society. I will continue to fight against all forms of racism. I encourage the reflection that is being started in our parliament to come to terms with the past.
We need to look to the future in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect to address global challenges. The struggle for human dignity and for sustainable development requires that we join forces. I have this ambition for both our countries and both continents, Africa and Europe.
Due to the current circumstances, I unfortunately cannot travel to your beautiful country, which I would like to get to know better. I hope I get the opportunity to do that soon. ”