J. H. Webster Clayeh
Africa-Press – Liberia. Ambassador Rafael Soriano Ortix, Spanish Ambassador to Liberia and Ivory Coast has assured Liberia of his government’s plan to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Liberia in the areas of trade, education, culture and other possibilities.
Ambassador Soriano who is based in Abijan is in Liberia for the first time after the presentation of his letter of credence to the George Weah-led government last year.
He is back in Liberia, this time to install Madam Helen Eid Hariz as the new Spanish Honorary Consul.
Speaking to journalist before the start of the event, Ambassador Soriano says his visit here is in a very special moment as Liberia will be going to election on October 10,2023.
He urged that whoever wins the election should keep working for the people of Liberia adding that it is in the interest of the Spanish government is to support the government of Liberia and it endeavors -that is, to bring prosperity to the people of Liberia.
“It is up to the people of Liberia to make the right choice and I’m sure that they will make it. The Spanish government as it had always been the case will work with the government of Liberia.
The Spanish government once had an embassy in Liberia. Unfortunately, it was closed because of the long civil unrest.
“Some years back we had our embassy in Monrovia, our embassy was closed and now we are rebuilding and reselling our bilateral relations. We were provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic but now it is time to be back, this time with the appointment of Halen as the new Honorary Consul and our commitment from Abijan to try to rebuild this bilateral relationship,” Ambassador Soriano said.
He added: “It is our wish to reestablish a political dialogue wish will be meaningful to both countries and the position taken by the Liberian government to support all of the UN resolutions against the Russian aggression to Ukraine as well as other resolutions.”
Promised to Bring Spanish Companies Back to Liberia
Also, Ambassador Soriano disclosed that base on the working of both government, the possibility of Spanish companies coming back to Liberia will come to reality.
“I would like to bring Spanish companies to Liberia based on the installation of economics commercial relations of the embassy. It is very difficult if the Spanish companies don’t know the country and don’t know the possibility. So, it is a win-win operation,” he said.
Mr. Soriano added: “Our new commercial counselor will soon be in Monrovia. Every year we have at least one mission for our chamber of commerce visiting the country and evaluating the possibility and so I hope in the years to come with the support of our Honorary Consul, we will be able to develop economy and commercial relations with Liberia.”
“In the area of commercial and trade, we will invite Spanish companies to come to Liberia to let them know that the possibility and possible trade and investment will come regarding the political level cause Liberia is a like-minded country like many of us in the world. A country that respects the rule of international laws and respect the value of the UN Chapters,” Soriano said.
Teaching Spanish in the University of Liberian
In furtherance, Ambassador Soriano said his country is opened to explore all possibilities and gain credibility with the government and the issue of teaching the Spanish language in Liberia cannot be overlooked.
“This morning I visited the University of Liberia and we were very much interested in fostering academic corporations. We also talk about learning the Spanish language here in Liberia and it is something that still needs to be done,” Ambassador Soriano said.
He added: “I’m sure that by learning Spanish you will not only have access to their culture but the language is international communication and that those who speak the Spanish language have better jobs and an opportunity in life.”
He said: “We want to strengthen our relationship. For instance, one Liberian diplomat will further a course in international relations at the School of Diplomat in Madrid. It is a course that is opened to young diplomats speaking Spanish and belonging to an ECOWAS-speaking country.”
Right Person for the Honorary Consul Job
Adding up, Ambassador Soriano says the appointment of Madam Hariz who was born in Liberia and had lived in Liberia since birth is the right person for the job.
He furthers that she will assist any Spanish citizens and aid the Spanish embassy in Monrovia with any initiative that the embassy will like to undertake to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Liberia and Spain.
He added: “When we look for a replacement for the past Honorary Counsul we wanted somebody who is really committed to Liberia and knows the country.”
Ambassador Soriano continues: “And with the profile that Helen has she can assist any Spanish citizens in the country. She will help Spanish companies and investors to know more about the country to do business in the country. And so, we have found the right person for the right job and at the right time.”
Opening Spanish Embassy in Liberia Will be Later
When asked about the possibility of opening an embassy in Liberia, Ambassador Soriano said his country after several years of the closure of the Spanish embassy in Liberia is looking at all options to reopen the Spanish embassy in Liberia.
“Right now, for us, the real challenge is not the reopening of an embassy here in Monrovia but to give content to our bilateral relation. So if in the months or years to come, if we manage to be successful in all of the mentioned areas,” he said.
Ambassador Soriano added: “We will raise the political dialogue to have an agenda of high-level meetings between both the Liberian officials and the Spanish officials and in the years to come, Spanish companies will come back to Liberia and if we managed to create substance out of this relation, the issues of reopening the Spanish embassy will be put on the table.”
Madam Helen Eid Hariz Response
In response, the newly Honorary Consul Madam Helen Eid Hariz said she was honored with a profound sense of gratitude to be appointed as Honorary Consul of Spain in Liberia.
“It is a privilege to be entrusted with this role, and I am humbled to represent Spain in this beautiful country, Liberia,” Madam Hariz said.
According to her, becoming the Honorary Consul of Spain to Liberia means both personally and professionally to her.
“It not only allows me to deepen my connection with Spain, but also provides me an invaluable chance to contribute to the welfare and support of Spanish Citizens in Liberia,” she said.
Madam Hariz added: “I am committed to work relentlessly to fulfil my duties and strengthen the ties between Spain and Liberia.”
“Last but not least I received a call from Marissa Quenca, the wife of my predecessor the late Hon Manolo Quenca telling me he would have been happy with the news of my appointment. I hope to make him proud and I am honoured to walk in his shoes,” she ended.
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