Monrovia, April 19, 2018-, Chaired by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Bhofal Chambers and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Gbehzhongar Milton Findley for the Liberian side and the Chargé d'Affaires of Cuba, Second Secretary Yordenis Despaigne Vera, took place on the night of Thursday 19 the commemorative reception of the 44th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and Liberia. Representing the West African nation were also the Minister of Health, Mrs. Wilhemina Jallah, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ansu D. Sonii, the Minister of Sports, Mr. Zogar Wilson, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Marjon V. Kamara, former Minister for Presidential Affairs, Sylvester Grisby among other personalities of the current and former government, together with representatives of the press and graduates in Cuba.
The head of mission of the Greater Antilles exposed, in tight synthesis, the milestones of relations between the two countries, since its uninterrupted establishment in 1974. He particularly underlined the arrival of a brigade of Cuban doctors in October 2014, which together with the country's health personnel, they fought the Ebola outbreak that claimed the lives of more than 4000 Liberian citizens. He made reference to the double significance that Cubans have for this date, when they celebrate the 57th anniversary of the Victory of Playa Girón along with to the culmination of the third electoral stage in Cuba, with the election of the membership of the Council of State of Cuba, in particular its President, First Vice President and Vice Presidents. The occasion was particularly propitious to reiterate the permanent willingness of the Cuban government and people to continue accompanying, to the extent that resources permit, the recovery of the health system of Liberia and to explore other potential areas of cooperation for the strengthening of these links.
In his speech for the occasion, Foreign Minister Milton Findley highlighted the long-standing ties between the two countries. He also thanked Cuba for its valuable contribution to the fight for the elimination of the Ebola epidemic and the training of Liberian professionals by granting free scholarships to young people. He welcomed the election of a new generation of leaders in Cuba.
In the celebration, a particularly touching moment for those present was the presentation of a video, prepared by the Cuban mission and set with African music, with images that reflect some of the main moments of bilateral relations during the last 4 years (2014- 2018). (CubaMinrex / EmbaCuba Liberia).