President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Finland on the occasion marking their 99^th Independence Anniversary on December 6, 2016.

This year’s Independence Anniversary, which will be celebrated under the theme: “Finland’s Strengths,” is an annual event which was adopted by their Parliament and is celebrated on December 6, to commemorate the formal Independence of Finland from Russia in 1917.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Sirleaf, in her congratulatory message to the President of the Republic of Finland, His Excellency Mr. Sauli Väinämö Niinistö, extended sincere congratulations and best wishes to him and through him, to the Government and the productive people of Finland, for continued strength, happiness and prosperity on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name.

The Liberian leader said Finland’s excellence in education and equal opportunity for all, innovation, good regulatory framework and efficient public service enhancing honesty, well managed economic policy, among significant others, have projected
Finland as one of the world’s most promising nations.

“Not surprisingly,” she said, “Finland prides itself as the world’s most stable country and one of the happiest nations in the world,” adding that these are noteworthy achievements Liberia endeavors to emulate.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf entertained the hope that the cordial ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between the two countries and peoples will continue to thrive and expand in other key areas, particularly in education and public service management for mutually rewarding benefits as Liberia joins in to celebrate this happy occasion.