The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., on Thursday, March 17, 2022 received in separate audience the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary-Designate from Japan and the State of Israel. During the meeting with each of the foreign diplomats, Minister Kemayah recounted fond memories of the long-standing relationships between Liberia and their individual countries.
The two ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary-designate from Japan and Israel will officially present their Letters of Credence to President George Manneh Weah on Friday, March 18, 2022.
Minister Kemayah assured both Ambassador Hisanobu Mochizuki of Japan and Ambassador Shlomit Sufa of Israel of Liberia’s cooperation and support during their tour of duty in Liberia.
He thanked the government and people of Japan for responding to the Government of Liberia’s call for collaboration in building the modern market as a way of bettering facilities and accommodations in which Liberian mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers do business on a daily basis.
Ambassador Mochizuki welcomed the opportunity accorded him to serve as his country’s ambassador to Liberia, and promised to continue to work to strengthen the relations between Liberia and Japan.
The Japanese Ambassador spoke of his country’s contribution to the reconstruction, education and infrastructure of Liberia, and assured the minister that Japan will continue to support Liberia’s recovery program.
The Japanese official disclosed that there is increased interest by Japanese businessmen in the private sector of the country, and he pledged to work to expand cooperation in the sector between the two countries. “Our relations will not only be limited in bilateral relations; we will also work together on other global issues,” he stated.
The Japanese diplomat welcomed the support Liberia has provided for his country at the international level. “Whenever we receive such support, we realize that Liberia is, indeed, a true friend,” the Japanese Ambassador declared.
For her part, presenting copy of her Letter of Credence from the Israeli leader to Minister Kemayah, Her Excellency Shlomit Sufa praised the relations between both countries, which she said are long-standing and excellent. “Our relations are based on friendship, mutual understanding and common views on many international issues,” she said.
She emphasized that development cooperation will continue to form an important part in the relations between the State of Israel and Liberia.
She expressed her excitement to be in Liberia, and conveyed warm greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Israel from Jerusalem.
Beyond bilateral development cooperation, Ambassador Sufa said the relations between Liberia and Israel have widened and deepened, and are now in a process of dynamic development, extending to many sectors of both societies.
She said Israel was ready to provide technical assistance to Liberia in sectors such as agriculture, education, health and security, and is also committed to human development and capacity building intervention in Liberia.
Minister Kemayah, receiving the credentials, traced the genesis of Israeli-Liberian relations, which led to the construction of the Executive Mansion. Minister Kemayah recalled Liberia’s support for Israel at the United Nations over the years in a bid to ensure that Israel remains a vibrant state.
