Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has received the Letters of Credence of the new Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Spain accredited to Liberia, His Excellency Mr. Luis Prados Covarrubias and Royal Thailand, His Excellency Mr. Wijhak Vhittarat.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf expressed appreciation on behalf of the Liberian Government for the Spain involvement in Liberia’s socio-economic development prior to the civil crisis, peacekeeping efforts in Liberia and during the Ebola crisis. President Sirleaf recalled the long standing relations and her State visit to Spain in 2007.
She praised Spain for its support to the many international organizations that are involved with supporting the recovery and rebuilding efforts in Liberia. She expressed the hope that Spanish investors who helped Liberia’s economic transformation in the past will resurface for investment initiatives in Liberia.
President Sirleaf particularly praised Spain’s support to the African Union’s effort in combatting Ebola and for the provision of learning opportunities for Liberian students to acquire higher education in Spain.
Receiving the Letter of Credence from the New Ambassador of Royal Thailand, President Sirleaf reflected on the longstanding relations between Liberia and Thailand as well as Thailand’s role in many global institutions including the Group of 77.
She acknowledged the country’s support to education, the United Nations and the processes that led to the development and adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She pointed out that Liberia and Thailand share values in the development arena particularly with focus on rice production and advancement of the agriculture sector. “I believe Liberia can benefit from Thailand’s experience particularly with value addition and advanced the concept of developing a framework the guide’s technical and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Presenting his Letters of Credence to President Sirleaf earlier, the Spanish Ambassador H.E. Mr. Covarrubias said he is honored and privileged to represent the Spain in Liberia, indicating that he is aware of the longstanding traditions of Liberia/Spain relations and the fruits of said tradition.
He expressed condolence for the many deaths in Liberia due to Ebola outbreak and congratulated President Sirleaf and the government for successfully defeating the further spread of the virus.
“Spain and Liberia has had a long and very active relations including in the economic world. Spanish companies are trying to make their way to Liberia as the country remains peaceful and stable. “
“You will recall that many Spanish investors were in Liberia prior to the civil and we are working to get many of them back”, Ambassador Covarrubias said. He promised to work hard to foster the relations stating that an appreciable level of dialogue is already ongoing between the two nations.
Ambassador Covarrubias told President Sirleaf that Spain has supported many United Nations initiatives led by Liberia to include gender issues and assured that they will continue to do so. He informed President Sirleaf about an initiative with the health sector that involves plasma development for the treatment and prevention of infection.
For his part, Thailand’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, H.E. Mr. Wijhak Vhittarat reflected on his over 35 years of diplomatic experience and expressed joy for his assignment to Liberia and other countries which represent his first assignment on the continent. He expressed personal admiration for President Sirleaf indicating she has added high value and respect after becoming a Nobel Laureate.
“I have very high value and respect for women who are honored by credible global organizations and nations and I must congratulate you for becoming a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize”, Ambassador Vhittarat said.
He told President Sirleaf that Thailand is an agriculture-based country with a climatic condition similar to Liberia. He named rice and rubber as grown in his country.
“Thailand was the number one rice producing country for over 30 years, a status that was lost to India a year ago but has been reclaimed. The country has a project that seeks to give expertise to African countries to help boost rice production and other commodities; Liberia can tap into this project”, he indicated.
He told the Liberian leader that 2017 will mark the 50th anniversary of Thailand/Liberia relations and assured that technical cooperation between the two countries needs to be enhanced with the development of a framework that promotes engagement and initiatives. “No friend of Thailand in Africa will be left behind in terms of progress”, he concluded.
