Liberia, Ethiopia Sign Political Consultation Mechanism

The Governments of Liberia(GOL) and Ethiopia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the Establishment of a Political Consultation Mechanism. The framework agreement is aimed at enhancing the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Liberia's Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan signed for Liberia while the Foreign Minister of the Federative Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Tedros Adhanom, signed the Political Consultation Mechanism agreement for his country.
According to the MOU, both Liberia and Ethiopia have agreed to establish a mechanism for regular political consultations which will deal with the development of bilateral relations, as well as with regional and international issues of common interest. The two countries have also agreed to evaluate and determine common priority areas suitable for the implementation of political cooperation.
The two countries, through their respective Foreign Ministers, shall jointly make efforts and take actions with a view to promoting peace and regional integration and international security as well as fostering economic and social development in the fields of science and technology, agriculture and natural resources exploitation.
A Foreign Ministry release said the two countries also agreed to focus on training, culture and youth development of both peoples, and in order to coordinate points of views in international fora. The parties shall continuously develop contacts between their respective representatives in the context of international organizations and forums with a view to achieving rapprochement between their two States, strengthening universal peace and security and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation with all countries in the political, economic, humanitarian and cultural fields in compliance with the AU and UN Charters.
Speaking after the signing of the MOU, Liberia's Foreign Minister Ngafuan stressed the need for people to people's relationship between Liberia and Ethiopia. Minister Ngafuan said the agreement hopes to see an enhancement of the bilateral cooperation especially in the areas of science and technology, agriculture, aviation among others.
"We look forward to strengthening our relationship, improving our presence here, and want to say thanks to you and your team along with your Africa Director for working with our Liberian team in an atmosphere of mutuality and we are very assured the relationship has gone to another level that our peoples can be proud of", the Liberian Foreign Minister stated.
Minister Ngafuan said it is now time that Liberia and Ethiopia come closer on all fronts and not only on the political front. The Liberian Foreign Minister recounted the long standing relationship between both countries dating back to the struggle for African unity between the late President William V.S. Tubman and Emperor Halie Selasi.
"On the bilateral front as you know Liberia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia have been in the vanguard for the Liberation of the continent more than 50 years ago as the two were the only countries that were independent when the rest of Africa was under colonial rule", Minister Ngafuan said.
He commended the Government and people of Ethiopia for the successful hosting of the 50th Anniversary celebration of the founding of the Organization of African Unity now the African Union. Minister Ngafuan informed his Ethiopian counterpart that Liberia was proud of the level of organization, excellent hospitality to the people of Africa and the very successful summit of Heads of State and Government under the leadership of the Ethiopian Prime Minister and his great people and country.
For his part, the Foreign Minister of the Federative Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Tedros Adhanom said the Government of Ethiopia considered the event as very significant as it reaffirms the importance of the relationship with Liberia. Foreign Minister Adhanom then expressed heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Government of Liberia for what he said was the commitment demonstrated to sign the political consultation mechanism.
"As much as we are satisfied with our current level of cooperation at the leadership level; we believe that we have not yet utilized the full potential of our close relationship, we need to employ efforts particularly on the economic front so as to ensure sustainable growth", the Ethiopian Foreign Minister remarked.
Minister Adhanom is of the belief that the agreement signed between both countries will provide the frame work and serve as the basis for more future cooperation on other fields. He is also confident that future series of discussions and interactions will present Ethiopia and Liberia the opportunity to take stock and identify ways to further strengthen their relations in all fields for mutual benefits.
He then commended Liberia for consistently playing and continuing to play significant role as one of the principle advocates in favor of greater political and economic integration for Africa and said he looks forward to the nourishing of the warm and friendly relationship between Liberia and Ethiopia.