The Governments of Liberia and the Arab Republic of Egypt have signed two separate bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on media and information sharing and the establishment of a political consultation mechanism.   

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the signing ceremony took place in the Foreign Ministry’s conference room when the visiting Egyptian envoy paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister, Ms. Marjon V. Kamara, last Friday, November 4, 2016.    

Liberia’s Foreign Minister Kamara signed the two MOUs on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, while the visiting Assistant Minister for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Mr. Mohamed F. Edrees, signed on behalf of his government. 

As regards the Political Consultation Mechanism MOU, the parties reaffirmed their commitment considering the benefits of the establishment of political consultations and of the exchange of opinions at different levels concerning regional and global issues of common interests.  

The “Parties” under the MOU promised to work collaboratively to intensify the friendly bilateral relations and promote mutual cooperation between both countries in conformity with the aims and principles of the charter of the African Union and the United Nations.  

Under the MOU between the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism of Liberia and the Ministry of Media of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the “Parties” agreed to consolidate ties of media cooperation aimed at enhancing the brotherly relations between the two peoples.  

The “Parties,” among other things, agreed to encourage the exchange of visits for senior media officials and experts in the fields of radio and television in order to get acquainted with working techniques in both countries. 

Before the signing of the MOUs, Mr. Edrees informed Minister Kamara that Liberia is one country that Egypt has had very long standing bilateral ties with dating back to 1957, adding, “I want to thank you for keeping us as your friends.”

Mr. Edrees, who is in the country as a special envoy of His Excellency Mr. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, stated that Egypt, being one of three African representatives on the United Nations Security Council, said they see their being on the Council as a privilege to speak for all African nations, including Liberia.

He spoke of his country’s willingness to further deepen and strengthen the bilateral relations subsisting between both countries.

Mr. Edrees used the occasion to pay a special tribute to Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, for the role she played in leading the African agenda during the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the successor of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 

Mr. Edrees was accompanied to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by H.E. Mr. Alaa Khairat Issa, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Liberia.

Responding, Foreign Minister Kamara, after warmly welcoming her guest to the Ministry, congratulated Egypt for making vital contributions to regional and international issues. “I want to congratulate Egypt. It has always played a vibrant role in international and regional matters,” she stated.

She pleaded with the Egyptian special presidential envoy to communicate with their Permanent Mission at the United Nations to push Liberia’s case when the Security Council gets down to discuss issues regarding UNMIL transition.

She informed her guest that Liberia is headed for presidential and legislative elections in next October as such there is the need for UNMIL to still have its presence on the ground.  “So we want to ask our African brothers and sisters on the UN Security Council to continuously speak for us,” Min. Kamara urged.

Foreign Minister Kamara assured him that the Liberian Government will continuously explore ways to widen opportunities with Egypt. 

Foreign Minister Kamara was joined on the signing table by Assistant Ministers Emmanuel Munyene and Rosetta Jackollie.