IPNews-Monrovia: Liberia Ambassador to the Republic of Italy , H.E. Andrew W. Kronyanh, has lauded the tremendous assistance of the government and peoples of the Republic of Italy to Liberia.

Amb. Kronyah, presenting his Letter of Credence, to His Excellency Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, this morning at the Quirinale, praised President Mattarella, for his country continued assistance to Liberia in the areas of Road Construction, Commerce, Banking, Forestry, and Education amongst others.

The Liberian diplomat stated that Liberia’s relationship with the government of Italy, has and continued to be cordial, stressing that Italy continuous technical assistance remain a significant contributing effect to the economic growth and transformation of Liberia.

He said as a clear manifestation to Italy’s commitment to Liberia, in March 2008, the governments of Italy and Liberia signed the ‘inter-Country coordination for West Africa food security project’, valued at  1.5 million Euro, to which the Italian government-funded.

The project which was solely funded by the Italian government aimed at strengthening and supporting community-based farming organizations (CBFO) in three counties in Liberia, namely, Nimba, Maryland and Grand Kru respectively.

In retrospection, in the context of the Paris Club, The Government of Italy also sought a total debt waiver of  Liberia to which the Liberian Government and people remain forever grateful.

Amb. Kronyah “ It is often said that you know your true friends in times of crisis or need. So it was the case with Italy, when in 2014, Liberia was hit by the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, which took away the lives of thousands of our citizens. The Government and people of Liberia will forever remember the timely intervention and support of the Government of Italy in deploying a team of Medical experts to Liberia headed by Dr Antonino Dicaro, Director of the Microbiology Laboratory and Infectious Disease.

“In particular, the Government of Liberia remembers with deep appreciation the mobile Laboratory team that was dispatched to the Medicine San Frontier Treatment Center in Liberia’s northern region of Foya, Lofa County where the death toll was very high. The  financial support of Italy to the Ebola fight run over FIFTY MILLION EURO (€50,000.000.00), which included food supply, drugs and others.”

On his appointment by His Excellency Dr George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia as Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, Amb. Kronyah stated his appointment is a clear demonstration of the government of Liberia interest and commitment to continuing bilateral relations with the Republic of Italy and to strengthen the already existing cordial relationship.

Amb. Kronyah, promised to vigorously engage the Italian government in attracting foreign direct investment to support the ‘Pro Poor Agenda’, for Development and Prosperity-PPAD.

“ In conclusion, Excellencies, I am pleased to share with you that the Government of the Republic of Liberia has developed what it calls “ the Pro-Poor Agenda for Development and Prosperity (PPAD)”, which is focused on lifting Liberians from poverty through the creation of a vibrant private sector and a middle-income class for its citizens. During my tour of duties in Italy, I intend to vigorously engage the Italian private sector in attracting Foreign Direct Investments to Liberia as a means of contributing to my Government’s national agenda. I also intend to strengthen bilateral engagements with the Italian Government aimed at identifying new areas of collaboration and partnership.” Amb. Kronyah stated.

Receiving the Letter of Credence, His Excellency Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italy, lauded his counterpart, President George Manneh Weah, for a major step taken to strengthen the long relations between the two countries.

President Mattarella, recounted the long-standing historical ties between Liberia and Italy dated back in 1862, when Italy recognized the independence and sovereignty of Liberia and in 1863; a Treaty of friendship, commerce and Navigation was consummated in London, United Kingdom.

Additionally, President Mattarella, highlighted events in 1952, establishing Commercial Relation between the two countries which was singed and thereafter in 1957 diplomatic relations at Ambassadorial level was established.

President Mattarella, further stated that since the consummation of this relationship, and prior to Liberia’s civil upheaval in the late 90s, Italy has been actively engaged with Liberia in the provision of a number of technical support in the areas of Road Construction, Commerce, Banking, Forestry, and Education amongst others which saw the provision of support in the human resource capacity building of Liberia.

He said Italy has furthermore provided training to medical personnel at the Medical College, the A. M. Dogliotti College of Medicine at the University of Liberia, since its establishment in 1962.

The program was climaxed with an elaborate launcher with toast to the good health and wellbeing of our two leaders, Presidents Mattarella and Weah and to the outstanding relationship between the two countries.