French Ambassador Michael Roux has lauded the long-standing ties between his country and Liberia, saying the two countries have shared values for peace, governed by international law and cooperation that have fostered a friendly relationship.
“Our actions are therefore converging. Liberia has been taking very clear and firm positions, with constancy, with courage, on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as on the situation of human rights in Central Asia,” Roux said.
According to him, France and Liberia count among the first republics in the world that were founded on audacious, ambitious and political projects. “These foundations, the history, the philosophy of the enlightenment, the desire for justice, the love of Liberty, all of these guide our steps today,” he said.
The French ambassador made these during his opening statement at the celebration of the French National Day on Thursday, July 14, at Club Montserrado in Monrovia.
In France, the 14th of July commemorates both the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 (symbol of the French revolution), and the federation Day of July 14, 1790 (symbol of the National Union).
Roux added that President George Manneh Weah is famous in France and regularly exchanges views with France’s president, Emmanuel Macron. “The President knows France and speaks our language. Our heads of state exchange view regularly.”
According to him, France’s relationship with the Republic of Liberia dates back to the middle of the nineteenth century. “President Joseph Jenkins Roberts was on board of l’Espadon. Then he was received by president Louis Napoleon Bonaparte in 1852. So, 170 years later, what can we say about French-Liberia relations today? We can agree that this relation drives results — and could drive more.”
The elaborate ceremony was graced by government ministers, directors, heads of agencies, the diplomatic community and civil society organizations.
Roux recalled that France is not only a political partner to Liberia, but also a development partner, fully supporting the national strategy of the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD). “The French citizens contribute more than 30 million dollars a year to Liberia, through multilateral and bilateral channels.”
He said since 2018, the French Development Agency has committed €38 million — half for education and youth employability — and supported the fight against Covid-19, by delivering tests, respirators, a generator to the national reference laboratory, and vaccines.
Roux added that Proparco, AFD’s sister organization for the private sector, is supporting Liberian entrepreneurs to realize their new projects, through the banking sector.
According to him, French investors are very present in the region, present in Liberia. “Many more could come with the special sense of social responsibility of European companies, bringing capital and employment, bringing technology and vocational training.
“AFD’s action extends to urban development and rural development,” the Ambassador disclosed. “New projects are coming for the revival of the rice sector and the protection of forests and biodiversity. France is also an economic partner. Our trade is rising sharply from €25 million in 2017 to €235 million in 2021), ” he said.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thelma E. Duncan-Sawyer thanked the French government for their continuous support to Liberia and vowed the government’s commitment to protect and promote peace and security.
(Liberian Observer)
