President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has sent a congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of Italy on the occasion commemorating the 70^th Anniversary of that country’s Republic Day on June 2, 2016.

Republic Day, also known as Festa della Repubblica in Italian (Festival of the Republic), is celebrated on June 2 each year to commemorate the day when Italians voted to abolish the monarchy in 1946 so their country could become a republic.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in her message to His Excellency Sergio Mattarella, President of the Republic of Italy, the Liberian leader extended hearty congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia, and in her own name. 

President Sirleaf recalled that the cordial ties of friendship subsisting between Italy and Liberia dates back to 1862, when Italy gave recognition to Liberia’s sovereignty. She noted that since then the cooperation between the two countries in several fields, notably, agriculture, education and health continue to expand considerably.  

She expressed appreciation that the first Italy-Africa Ministerial Conference which took place on May 18, 2016, in Rome created yet another platform for renewing bilateral consultations, especially when the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia held talks with H.E. Mr. Mario Giro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy on the margins of the conference.

The conference also focused on peacekeeping, peace-building and African ownership, especially from the perspective of economic and environmental sustainability.

President Sirleaf said that Liberia welcomes Italy’s decision to consolidate support to the African Union through the Italian-Africa Peace Facility (IAPF) and at the same time look forward to the joint endeavor in consummating the pending Joint Framework for Bilateral Cooperation as well as the MOU on Economic Cooperation.

The Liberian leader assured her Italian counterpart that Liberia remains resolute in collaborating with Italy for the deepening and enrichment of the already excellent ties of friendship subsisting between the two countries and peoples, and for the continued promotion of world peace and prosperity.

She then wished President Mattarella good health, happiness and sustained peace and prosperity for the Government and people of Italy.