ISTANBUL

Washington hosted high-level talks to accelerate the implementation of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to end tensions and boost economic growth in Africa’s Great Lakes region, according to the US State Department.

It said meetings held July 30 - Aug. 1 in Washington focused “on implementation of the security aspects of the agreement and building a framework for regional economic growth opportunities, which together are critical to achieving long-term stability and durable peace in the Great Lakes region.”

On Friday, representatives from both countries, facilitated by the US, initialed the Regional Economic Integration Framework Tenets. “Through joint coordination in areas including energy, infrastructure, mining, national park management and tourism, and public health, the DRC and Rwanda will drive economic progress and improve the lives of people and the communities where they live across the Great Lakes region,” it said.

Delegations from the two countries also convened the first meeting Thursday of the Joint Oversight Committee to oversee the agreement’s implementation.

“The Committee serves as a platform for implementing the Peace Agreement and resolving disputes. At its first meeting, participants appointed Chairpersons to the Commission, agreed to governing terms, and prepared for the launch of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism,” it said.

The State Department called the meetings “a significant step forward” in implementing the peace agreement, adding Washington looks forward to hosting the Summit of the heads of state in Washington, DC, to further promote peace, stability and prosperity.