President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has commended the brotherly people of Ivory Coast for that country’s longstanding cordial relationship with Liberia, which she said permeated various shades of cooperation, mutual respect and trust between our two peoples and countries.

 

 

According to an Executive Mansion release President Sirleaf was speaking when the new Ivorian Ambassador Extraordinary Plenipotentiary, accredited to AU, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Dr. Feni KOUAKOU presented his Letter of Credence at her temporary Foreign Ministry Office.

 

 

The Liberian leader said she was exceedingly glad over the profound friendship both countries continue to enjoy and indicated that she firmly recognizes the spirit of collaboration, which has subsisted between the two nations. She stressed the warmth embedded in the Liberia-Ivory Coast ties that extends to the level of the Mano River Union and ECOWAS.

 

 

President Sirleaf then alluded to the similar history of conflict situation that had engulfed the countries of the region but noted it is imperative to appreciate MRU States that were once riddled by upheaval have all transitioned and are currently treading the path of peace and economic development.

 

 

She however called for the strengthening of improved regional and economic cooperation aimed at joint collaboration. President Sirleaf asked the Ivorian Ambassador to convey to her dear brother, President Alasane Quattara her deepest sentiments and best wishes as he steers the ship of affairs of Cote D’Ivoire. The President recounted the special brotherly relationship between the late President William V.S. Tubman of Liberia and  President Felix Houphouet Boigny of Ivory Coast that they cemented throughout their reign.   

 

 

For his part, Ambassador KOUAKOU lauded President Sirleaf, the Government and people of Liberia for the warm hospitality accorded him since his arrival. He praised the Liberian leader for her astute leadership and paid tribute to her for being Africa’s democratically elected female President. 

 

 

Ambassador KOUAKOU said there is a lot to learn from the Liberian leader in view of her enormous experience in both the public and private sectors. “Your exemplary and distinguished service, Madam President renders you a monument and a fountain of knowledge and as such we can achieve a great deal from you” – the Ivorian Envoy noted. 

 

 

He also thanked President for encouraging and motivating Cote D’Ivoire to join the Mano River Union (MRU) Block, which he said represents a building block for regional integration. Ambassador KOUAKOU said there is an urgent to reignite the Joint Commission initiated to foster closer cooperation economic cooperation. He then expressed his preparedness to work closely with the Liberian government for the benefits of our two countries.  

 

 

Ambassador KOUAKOU was accompanied by the Charge’ Affairs at the Ivoirian Embassy, H.E. Gbegbe Lanta