PRESS RELEASE VISIT AND PRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS TO THE REPUBLIC OF CUBA BY AMBASSADOR MILTON NATHANIEL BARNES OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA  FEBRUARY 4-10, 2008   New York.  February 18, 2008- Ambassador Milton Nathaniel Barnes, who is also Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations in New York, recently traveled to Havana, Cuba, where, according to established protocols, he presented copies and his original credentials to the Government of the Republic of Cuba.  Having been formally received and recognized by H.E. Mr. Juan Almeida Bosques, Vice President, Republic of Cuba, Ambassador Barnes is now officially accredited as Liberia’s Ambassador to Cuba.  After the official ceremonies, Ambassador Barnes was pleased to honor the tradition of laying a wreath at the monument of Jose Marti, patron of the Republic of Cuba.  In addition to being honored at a dinner party hosted the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Pascal Onguemby, Ambassador of the Republic of Congo to the Republic of Cuba and Mrs. Onguemby, Ambassador and Mrs. Barnes also hosted a small reception at the Hotel Nacional in Havana.       Press Release   Press Release     Ambassador Barnes presents his credentials to H.E. Juan Almeida Bosques, Vice President of the Republic of Cuba, as Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, H.E. Bruno Rodriguez, (second from left) looks on .   Ambassador Barnes, left and H.E. Juan Almeida Bosques,   (far right) in tete a tete.    Ambassador Barnes took full advantage of the warm welcome, hospitality and sincere good will of the Government and people of the Republic of Cuba, by actively engaging several high level government officials including H.E. Mr. Bruno Rodriguez, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mrs. Yilliam Jimenez, Deputy Minister of International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Ramon Ripoll, Deputy Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Collaboration; Mr. Angel Villa, Minister Counselor, Deputy Director of Sub-Saharan Africa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as well as representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries, Sports; Members of Parliament and directors of major medical, academic and research institutions in Cuba.  The dialogues were very substantive.   The net result of the discussions between Ambassador Barnes and officials of the Cuban Government was the commitment of the government to immediately offer 13 total scholarships to Liberian students: 6 in sports, 3 in health technology, 1 in agricultural engineering, 1 in civil engineering, 1 in geography and 1 in math.  Cuban officials  emphasized the need to select appropriate students and to have the Ambassador monitor their progress in order to maximize successful outcomes.  It was agreed that means would be sought to have as many Cuban medical practitioners in Liberia as soon as possible.  Most significantly, Ambassador Barnes received an official letter proposing that a fact finding mission go to Monrovia in April 2008 in order that representatives of both governments hold consultations that will ultimately result in the signing a formal Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Governments of the Republic of Liberia and the Republic of Cuba.                    Click here to view more photos on Ambassador Barnes’ visit and presentation of credentials to the Republic of Cuba   Liberia and The Eastern Republic of Uruguay Formalize Diplomatic Relations     Press Release   Press Release                                                                                     UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, JUNE  1, 2007:- Liberia and The Eastern Republic of Uruguay today, Friday, 1 June 2007,  established diplomatic relations at  Ambassadorial level ,formalizing their diplomatic ties with the signing of the Joint Communique  at the Permanent Mission of The Eastern Republic of Uruguay at the United Nations in New York.               Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador M. Nathaniel Barnes signed on behalf of the Government of Liberia while the Permanent Representative of  The Eastern Republic of Uruguay, Mr. Elbio O. Rosselli signed on behalf of his Government.               Guided by their mutual willingness to develop and strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two States in political, social, humanitarian  and  economic with emphasis’s on Agriculture and other fields, in accordance with the principles and norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations dated 18 April 1961, the two States decided to formalize their diplomatic ties today.               Following the signing of the Joint Communique during a  brief  ceremony witnessed by senior staff of the two Missions, Ambassador Barnes  thanked his colleague for the invitation to formalize their relations, and hoped they together will explore new avenues  that will be of mutually beneficial to both countries and peoples, especially in the area of Agriculture.               For his part, the  Uruguayan Ambassador Mr. Elbio O. Rosselli thanked Ambassador Barnes for the  formalization of Diplomatic  relations between the two countries  and assured him that his country will do everything to strengthen this ties in the areas of commerce, trade, agriculture and fisheries  for the benefit of their  peoples and countries.               Liberia and Uruguay  have tremendous potentials  in the area of agriculture.  Uruguay is an exporter of beef to the outsider world.               Uruguay like Liberia,  has a Presidential form of Government with a population little over 3 million.  The three independent branches of Government are Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. The Executive Branch is headed by a President and a cabinet of 13 ministers. The seat of Government is in the Capital Montevideo.               The two countries  are members of several international bodies, including The Non-Aligned Movement, (NAM), and  The Zone of Peace among others.     James Eesiah Minister Counsellor    Hon. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Bropleh Minister of Information Ministry of Information Monrovia, Liberia          H.E. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf   Holds Informal Discussions With United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Other Dignitaries       Press Release   Press Release                          MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS 866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA, SUITE 480 NEW YORK, NY 10017     PRESS RELEASE   UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, May 10, 2007:- President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf tonight held informal discussions with the United Nations Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-Moon and expressed appreciation for the support the United Nations has given Liberian, adding, “We look forward to a fruitful relationship during your tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations.”  This conversation took place at a dinner held in honor of the Secretary-General at the residence of the Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, H.E. Adamanitos Vassisilakis.   H.E. President Sirleaf expressed profound appreciation to Ambassador Vassisilakis and the Government and people of Greece for their generosity and friendship toward Liberia.  She noted, in particular, the efforts of the wife of the Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Mrs. Fay Vassisilakis, who has dedicated herself to raising funds towards developing a significant project in Margibi County, Liberia.     The dinner was attended by other dignitaries including major players in the Greek Shipping Association.  President Sirleaf had the opportunity to greet the members of the Association and thank them for their business through the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry, LLC and emphasized the need for the growth and expansion of this mutually beneficial relationship. The Greek shipping magnates were very receptive of the President’ remarks noting Liberia is the second largest Open Shipping Registry in the world, after Panama.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   James Eesiah Minister Counsellor   Hon. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Bropleh Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism Ministry of Information Monrovia, Liberia   St Vincent/The Grenadines and Liberia Formalize Diplomatic Ties          Press Release   Press Release                       MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS 866 UNITED NATIONS PLAZA, SUITE 480 NEW YORK, NY 10017     PRESS RELEASE   UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, May 2, 2007:-Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Republic of Liberia today, Wednesday May 2, 2007, formalized their diplomatic ties with the signing of the Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations at the Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in New York.   Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador M. Nathaniel Barnes signed on behalf of the Government of Liberia while the Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador Margaret Hughes Ferrari signed on behalf of her Government.   Guided by their mutual willingness to develop and strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two States in political, economic, social, humanitarian and other fields, in accordance with the principles and norms enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations dated 18 April 1961, the two States decided to formalize their diplomatic ties today.   Following the signing of the Joint Communiqué during a brief and impressive ceremony witnessed by senior staff of the two Missions, Ambassador Barnes thanked his colleague for the invitation to formalize their relations, and hoped they together will explore new avenues that will be mutually beneficial to both countries, especially in the area of tourism.   Ambassador Ferrari said it is never late to formalize relations and expressed happiness that has taken place.  She said, her Government attaches great importance to the relations with Liberia and it is watching with keen interest developments taken place since the democratic election of the first female President on the African Continent, who is making every effort to improve the living standard of her people.   She looks forward for mutual cooperation in the tourism industry to further cement the diplomatic relations.   Both Liberia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are members of several international bodies including the Non-Aligned Movement.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                James Eesiah Minister Counsellor   Hon. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Bropleh Minister of Information, Culture & Tourism Ministry of Information Monrovia, Liberia     PRESS RELEASE Liberia and the Republic of Iceland Establish Diplomatic Relations   UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 28, 2006      Press Release   Press Release       Signing of protocol establishing diplomatic relations. Left to right, clockwise: Ambassador M. Nathaniel Barnes and Minister Counselor James Eesiah of Liberia; Thorvardur Atli Thorsson, Adviser-Intern and Ambassador Hjalmar W. Hannesson of the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations.     Ambassador M. Nathaniel Barnes of Liberia, left and Ambassador Hjalmar W. Hannesson of Iceland on the right, shake hands after signing protocol for establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.                     Liberia and the Republic of Iceland have today established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level. The Liberian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H. E. Mr. M. Nathaniel Barnes signed the Joint Communiqué on behalf of the Government while the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iceland, H.E. Mr. Hjalmar W. Hannesson signed on behalf of his Government.   Signing the communiqué at the Official Residence of the Iceland Ambassador to The United Nations, New York, the Liberian Diplomat said, the establishment of relations with Iceland was in line with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s Foreign Policy objective, to make friends with all peace loving nations of the world; while maintaining cordial relations and fostering trade and commerce based on mutual respect and adherence to international laws, and treaties governing such relations with other countries.   Ambassador Barnes said, he was particularly pleased that he continues to play a role in cultivating good rapport with Member States of the United Nations and look forward to exploring more and new avenues of cooperation mutually beneficial to the two countries and peoples.   The Ambassador hoped that Iceland with her vast experience with modern  technology in fishery would contribute to President’s Sirleaf’s Development Cooperation where Liberians will benefit from the United Nations International School of Fishery in Reyjavik.   Earlier, Ambassador Hannesson said, he was happy that Liberia and Iceland have established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level with mutual respect for each other territorial integrity and his country will do all that is necessary to maintain cordial relations for the benefit of the two countries and people.       James Eesiah Minister Counselor   Hon. Rev. Lawrence Bropleh Minister of Information                                                                                                                Ministry of Information Monrovia, Liberia   Attn.: Hon. Gabriel L Williams Asst. Minister for Information