The Air Services Agreement (ASA) was signed on Tuesday, September 22, during talks between Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos.

The agreement provides a framework for cooperation in civil aviation and adds air transport to the areas covered by the two countries’ bilateral relations.

Kombos said his meeting with Nduhungirehe focused on ways to strengthen ties between Rwanda and Cyprus across several areas, as well as on issues affecting the wider region.

Nduhungirehe also welcomed the discussions, saying they had highlighted further opportunities for cooperation.

“Thank you for the fruitful discussions, which revealed further opportunities for relations and cooperation between Cyprus and Rwanda,” he said in a post on X.

A new area of cooperation

The signing of the agreement comes as Rwanda seeks to expand its partnerships with countries beyond the African continent.

Air services agreements are generally used by countries to establish the legal framework under which airlines can operate between them, including arrangements covering air routes and other aspects of international air transport.

However, the two countries have not announced plans for a direct flight between Rwanda and Cyprus following the signing.

Cyprus, an island nation in the eastern Mediterranean, has its capital in Nicosia and is a member of the European Union.

The agreement adds a new dimension to relations between Kigali and Nicosia, with both sides signalling an interest in expanding cooperation beyond diplomatic engagement.