(Monrovia-Liberia): April 30, 2009 – A high-powered delegation from the United Arab Emirates, headed by its foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has paid a courtesy call on Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Foreign Ministry in Monrovia. During discussions Wednesday, the UAE Foreign Minister extended warm greetings from his President, Sheikh Khalilfa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and spoke of his country’s preparedness to establish a new era of relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Liberia. The Liberian leader was also extended an invitation by the Foreign Minister to visit the United Arab Emirates later during the year.

Accepting the invitation, the Liberian President recalled the strong relationship which subsisted between Liberia and Gulf States as well as Arab partners prior to Liberia’s civil conflict.  The President regretted the closed relationship Liberia enjoyed with countries in the Middle East were disturbed by unscrupulous individuals, who, purporting to represent the country, committed acts which tarnished Liberia’s image.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Johnson Sirleaf welcomed a decision by the United Arab Emirates to re-establish diplomatic relations with Liberia.  The President hoped the decision will send a strong signal to the rest of the Gulf States that Liberia is now a changed country which has turned a new page of renewal and progress.

The 7-member United Arab Emirates delegation arrived in Liberia Wednesday for a one-day visit and was met on arrival by Acting Foreign Minister, Ambassador William Bull.

Talks were held on a wide range of issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which the Minister of Lands, Mines & Energy and the Chairman of the National Investment Commission of Liberia participated.  At the end of the discussions, Liberia and the United Arab Emirates agreed to reestablish Diplomatic Relations between the two countries as an expression of confidence that the relationship will contribute to the consolidation of international peace and security as well as peaceful co-existence.  The Permanent Representatives of the two countries at the United Nations will sign the Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations early May.

It was also decided that a Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation be establish between the two countries aimed at  strengthening and fostering a mutually beneficial partnership in areas of energy, investment and trade. The United Arab Emirates is to shortly send a delegation to Monrovia, consisting of officials of the Abu Dhabi Fund and other important institutions including the Gulf Cooperation Council (G-CC).