The Charge d’Affaires at the United States Embassy near Monrovia, Mr. Mark Bouleware, has congratulated Liberia’s new Foreign Minister, Ms.  Marjon V. Kamara for her preferment; thus becoming the third female Foreign Minister in the country’s history.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the U.S. diplomat reassured Liberia’s new top diplomat of his Embassy’s commitment to working closely with the Foreign Ministry in fostering bilateral ties of friendship and mutual cooperation with Liberia. Mr. Bouleware made the assertion when he paid a courtesy call on Ms. Kamara at her Foreign Ministry office recently.

During the courtesy visit, the two officials exchanged views on critical bilateral issues and at the same time expressed satisfaction over United States - Liberia relations.  Both Foreign Minister Kamara and Mr. Bouleware expressed their two countries’ desire to work together for the mutual benefits of the two countries and peoples.

Briefing Foreign Minister Kamara during the visit, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Bouleware disclosed that efforts are underway by his Government to conclude the confirmation process of a new U.S. Ambassador to Liberia very soon, adding that the incoming U.S. Envoy is a very hard working and seasoned diplomat who is coming to the post with a wealth of experience. 

He furthered, “I am very happy to meet you and I look forward to working very closely with you while we await the confirmation process and the arrival of a new US Ambassador to Liberia.”  

Mr. Bouleware emphasized that the U.S. Government is very pleased with the level of progress being made in Liberia especially in maintaining peace and security; adding, “We have confidence in the Armed Forces of Liberia and other security services.”

The U.S. diplomat further assured Foreign Minister Kamara of the U.S. Government’s fullest support and mutual cooperation even as the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) transitions. He further hoped that Liberia would go through a peaceful transition especially with the holding of credible elections next year following the completion of UNMIL drawdown.  

For her part, Foreign Minister Kamara thanked the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for the visit and expressed deep appreciation to the U.S. Government for the numerous bilateral assistance it continues to render the Government and people of Liberia. 

She hoped that during her tenure as Foreign Minister, her administration will continue to engage authorities at the U.S. Embassy aimed at improving the existing ties of friendship between Liberia and the U.S. as established by her predecessors.

Foreign Minister Kamara said she was confident that Liberia will strengthen its security sector to be in a strategic position to sustain the peace and security especially after UNMIL transition. “The investment in Liberia has been very progressive; the government does not want to see any reverse,” Minister Kamara indicated.

She stressed that as the United Nations Security Council continues to have confidence in the Government and its people, Liberia needs to ensure that its citizens build trust and confidence in their own Government so as to be assured that even after the departure of UNMIL from the country, peace and tranquility would prevail; stressing that the eradication of Ebola from Liberia was an example of the resilience and determination of the government to protect its people.    

Liberia’s new Foreign Minister used the occasion to urge the U.S. Government, through its embassy here, to remove a number of hindrances in obtaining a U.S. visa to travel to the United States, which she observed is posing time constraint on Liberians wanting to travel to the U.S. on business and official matters.

Foreign Minister Kamara called on the U.S. Government to consider reducing the visa processing period in order to enable Liberians enjoy the same privileges other neighboring countries enjoy.  She suggested that the two Governments work out modalities to address the visa situation so as to make it easier for Liberians travelling to the U.S. owing to the traditional ties between the two countries and peoples.

Liberia’s Foreign Minister Kamarasaid she looks forward to working very closely with the U.S. Embassy and the incoming Ambassador to cement the cordial bilateral cooperation between the two countries.