The Republic of Liberia and the Kyrgyz Republic have established diplomatic relations.

According to a dispatch from Beijing, People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Joint Declaration on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed by Liberia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency D. McKinley Thomas and the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic accredited to the People’s Republic of China, Her Excellency Mrs. Baktgulova Kanaiym. The ceremony took place at the Kempinski Hotel in downtown Beijing last Friday, June 17, 2016.

Speaking during the ceremony, Liberia’s Ambassador, H.E. D. McKinley Thomas underscored the need for cooperation on issues of international affairs, specifically in the areas of peace and security, economic cooperation, cultural exchange and people to people contact with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.

He described the occasion as historic and indicated that as two member states of the United Nations they have participated on issues regarding peace and security. He recalled the role Liberia played in the United Nations Program on Decolonization and Liberia’s fight for the inherent rights of all people to determine their own future.

Similarly, Ambassador Thomas highlighted the role played by the Kyrgyz Republic on issues regarding world peace and security as evident by its participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Liberia.

Ambassador Thomas, who will now have concurrent accreditation, stressed that fostering good relations with the Kyrgyz Republic and other countries within the comity of nations continue to be one of the cornerstones of Liberia’s foreign policy objectives under the administration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. 

He paid tribute to Ambassador Kanaiym and through her proffered a toast to the health, longevity and wellbeing of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E Almazbek Atambaev, on behalf and in the name of the President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

In response, the Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic accredited to the People’s Republic of China, Her Excellency Mrs. Baktgulova Kanaiym, indicated that the signing ceremony marked a significant turning point in Kyrgyz Republic - Liberia relations and the African continent as a whole.

She noted that her Government has cooperated with several African countries on international affairs of which Liberia is an integral part.

Her Excellency Kanaiym assured that her Government will onwards work with the Government of Liberia on many issues that affect the international community and in particular Liberia- Kyrgyz Republic relations.

She also requested Ambassador Thomas to convey the good wishes of the President, government and people of the Kyrgyz Republic for the continued prosperity of the President, government and people of Liberia.

 Among the several distinguished personalities who graced the occasion were the Ambassador of the Republic of Benin and Dean of the ECOWAS Group of Ambassadors in the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Sedozan Apithy; Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency Mr. Michael Kinyanjui Mukiri and the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Mr. Anani O. Demuyakor.