President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of Belarus on the occasion marking the 72nd Independence Anniversary of that country’s liberation from the Nazis.

July 3^rd is celebrated annually as Independence Day in the Republic of Belarus and marks the liberation of Minsk from fascist aggressors in 1944. Unlike the other countries that formed part of the erstwhile Soviet Union, Belarus does not celebrate its Independence Day to honor its freedom from the USSR. Instead, it celebrates the liberation of its capital, Minsk from the Nazi forces in 1944.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to His Excellency Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, President of the Republic of Belarus, President Sirleaf extended warm wishes for a happy celebration, renewed prosperity and continued peace to the Government and people of Belarus on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name.

She expressed pleasure that Belarus and Liberia have successfully held fruitful discussions on the possibilities of strengthening bilateral cooperation during the signing ceremony of a joint communiqué on April 27, 2016, establishing diplomatic relations between their two countries.

The Liberian leader indicated that with this landmark achievement, the Government and people of Liberia are confident that the two countries will continue to work together in order to deepen and strengthen their bilateral engagements for the common benefits of their two countries and peoples.

President Sirleaf said as the Government and people of Belarus mark this unique occasion of immense historical importance, Liberia also looks forward to the consummation of joint framework agreements, particularly in the service and agricultural sectors as well as in industrial specialties.