Liberia, Kenya sign air transport agreement

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta have signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement or BASA, to revitalize the air transport connectivity between Liberia and Kenya.

An Executive Mansion release says Presidents Sirleaf and Kenyatta also signed an agreement for the establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations.

Liberia’s acting Foreign Minister, Mr. Elias Shoniyin, signed on behalf of the Government; while Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Amina Mohammed signed for Kenya as Mrs. Sirleaf and Mr. Kenyatta looked on, the release says.

President Sirleaf conceded that the time was ripe for Liberia and Kenya to explore new areas of engagements to benefit their citizens, citing great strides that Kenya has made especially in the education sector, an area she says Liberia was keen to develop.

President Sirleaf observed that Kenya excelled in providing quality education to its young people and as such Liberia intends to borrow a leaf from Kenya. Earlier, President Sirleaf extolled Kenya for its selfless support to Liberia in the fight of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, saying the East African country indeed proved to be a true friend to Liberia when it sent medical staff to assist in the fight against the virus.

“You will always know your genuine friends when passing through tough times,” she told the Kenyan President Kenyatta and delegation, adding passionately, “Kenya stood with us when we were confronted. We will always remain indebted to you.”

In his response, Kenyan President Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta said the State Visit by President Sirleaf provided an opportunity to rejuvenate the enormous potential between the two countries, build upon a foundation of common values of mutual cooperation and interests.

He said the level of engagement between Liberia and Kenya particularly in trade has been very low but holds much promise. Mr. Kenyatta welcomed the signing and said it will provide the necessary legal and political frameworks for enhancing mutual beneficial commercial, cultural and diplomatic exchanges.

He challenged both countries and their delegations to move with speed, identify potential sectors for cooperation and develop strong and sustainable frameworks in order to accrue tangible benefits for citizens of both countries.

“Kenya,” President Kenyatta said, “can leverage its vast knowledge particularly in the livestock sub-sector to provide capacity building, share best practices in disease and pest control and cooperate in research and technology transfer.”

The Kenya President said Liberia, which is home to the second largest maritime registry in the world, has a wealth of experience in maritime affairs that Kenya could benefit from.

He then thanked Liberia for its decision to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), the main decision-making body in the global trade system. “Kenya,” he said, “looks forward to working closely with Liberia and other African countries within the WTO to ensure that the needs of the continent are addressed.”