President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the President-elect of the Federal Republic of Austria, His Excellency Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, on the occasion marking his election as President of that country.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Liberian President, in her message, expressed how delighted she is to extend heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name.

She stated further: “I am confident that you bring to this very demanding office a wealth of experience, particularly after a decade-long spell as leader of the Green Party and a retired professor of economics at the University of Vienna.”

President Sirleaf is of the conviction that President-Elect Van der Bellen’s wisdom and experience will play a very significant role not just in Austria but the whole of Europe as it endeavors to address the migrant crisis of unprecedented proportion as well as sporadic acts of terrorism.

“Additionally,” the Liberian leader stressed, “we anticipate that your ascendency will serve as a renewed momentum to enriching the bilateral ties already cordially subsisting between Liberia and Austria, thereby exploring new opportunities for increased cooperation in significant fields for mutual benefit of our people and countries."