Africa-Press – Liberia. Although Poland has no strong historical and political ties with Liberia, as it never colonized any African nation, on a bilateral level, it has maintained friendly diplomatic relations with Liberia for many decades.
In recent years Poland and Liberia have witnessed a surge of mutual interest with a high level visit and are looking forward to many more in the near future.
The Polish government’s statement comes after Liberia has joined the United States and its Western allies last week to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council over reports of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” in Ukraine.
The U.S.-led push garnered 93 votes in favor, while 24 countries voted no and 58 countries abstained — prompting Moscow to announce it was quitting the body.
A two-thirds majority of voting members in the 193-member General Assembly in New York — abstentions do not count — was needed to suspend Russia from the 47-member Geneva-based Human Rights Council.
Liberia’s decision to join in voting to suspend Russia is consistent with two prior votes on two previous General Assembly resolutions denouncing the Russian invasion, which were adopted with 141 and 140 votes in favor, respectively.
Liberia’s support for the resolutions comes after the Weah administration has condemned Russia for its aggression in Ukraine — joining the American condemnation of the war.
Forty-seven countries are on the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and they are elected in secret ballot votes by the General Assembly. Russia is currently serving a three-year term that was due to expire on December 31, 2023
In September 2021, the Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor visited Poland to take part in the 30th Economic Forum in Karpacz. The Forum in Karpacz is the largest economic conference in Central and Eastern Europe, the aim of which is to promote the debate on the development of political and economic cooperation between EU Member States and non-EU countries.
The Vice President took part in two discussion panels: “Challenges of the post-COVID-19 era” and “Time for women to lead-towards a world led by women.”
On the sidelines of the Forum, Vice President Howard-Taylor held talks with the Chairman of the Economic Forum, Mr. Zygmunt Berdychowski, concerning cooperation with the Government of Liberia in the development of the private sector, in particular in the fields of energy, telecommunications, production and agriculture.
Her Excellency Jewel Howard-Taylor stressed that Liberia is open to economic cooperation and that the government expects friendlier relations between Liberia and the countries of the European Union in terms of political and economic cooperation.
And last year, the Polish government supported Liberia through its development cooperation program, ‘Polish Aid’,” the statement disclosed. The project was focused on improving vocational education in Liberia. The Embassy of Poland equipped a computer lab at the Don Bosco Technical School in Monrovia. The school provides education for students at all levels (grades 1 to 12).
Meanwhile, the Polish Government says it remains firm in its position in standing with the people of Ukraine in the ongoing Russian Federation military attack against that peaceful nation, Ukraine.
The uniqueness of the school compared to other institutions lies in the fact that all its students, in addition to learning the subjects provided in the curriculum, also benefit from classes that include learning technical skills, such as tailoring, technical drawing, embroidery, computer skills, etc.
The school is attended by children and young people with different financial and social status, which promotes the principle of equal opportunities. Currently, 570 students study there.
The project activities included the purchase of desktops with monitors, adapted to conduct training and use of professional programs for calculations and technical drawings. Computer desks and UPS units were also purchased to ensure continuity of work.
Meanwhile, the Polish Government says it remains firm in its position in standing with the people of Ukraine in the ongoing Russian Federation military attack against that peaceful nation, Ukraine.
Poland, a next door neighbor of Ukraine, immediately opened its borders and extended helping hand to over 2 million people fleeing that country from the Russian invasion.
In a statement issued over the weekend by the Polish Embassy in Abuja, the Polish Government described the ongoing Russian aggression as unprecedented and unprovoked and the military invasion unjustified. “Although most refugees are Ukrainians, thousands of third country nationals were welcomed and provided shelter in Poland,” the Polish Embassy said.
“Polish authorities let in everyone irrespective of nationality, race or creed. Many of those who crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border were African nationals, including Liberians,” the statement said.
“The government of Poland went to great lengths and undertook every effort to ensure all refugees received meaningful, effective and comprehensive assistance. Meals were distributed at border crossings, transport was provided to receptive points where further assistance and help were provided by local government authorities. Moreover, country legislation was amended to cater for the needs of refugees and facilitate the provision of assistance,” the Polish government said in a statement.
It added” All refugees are guaranteed free medical care. Poland accepts and helps terminally ill refugees, the physically challenged and orphans. Ukrainian children are given the opportunity to resume learning in Polish primary and secondary schools. All Ukrainian citizens can apply for a Polish national identity number which entitles the holder to benefit from social welfare and medical care and many other privileges on a par with Polish citizens.”
The statement explained that not only did immense assistance come from the Polish government, but also ordinary Polish citizens contributed in a tremendous bottom-up response. Individuals, families, neighborhoods and local communities started helping on their own.
“It is worth mentioning that Polish citizens created special assistance platforms dedicated exclusively to assisting African nationals. The support offered includes, for instance, finding accommodation, translation services and free of charge legal assistance for those wishing to remain in Poland,” the statement added.
Apart from the humanitarian assistance, Poland continues to solidarity with Ukraine, becoming a humanitarian hub coordinating humanitarian assistance flowing via Poland to besieged Ukraine from over 30 countries worldwide.
“The Polish government has launched a robust and comprehensive system for the provision of humanitarian assistance not only in Poland but also in Ukraine. Humanitarian convoys leave Poland for Ukraine on a daily basis transporting medicine, food, clothing and other necessities financed by the Polish government, NGOs and individuals. Poland has contributed 500,000 CHF for humanitarian actions conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross. All assistance sent to Ukraine is coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the Office of the Prime Minister.”
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