A high-level Liberian legislative delegation, led by Hon. Nehker Gaye, Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Relations, met with Hon. Guillaume Floquin, President of the France–Liberia Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the French National Assembly in Paris to discuss strengthening parliamentary cooperation and deepening bilateral relations ahead of the 175th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Liberia and France in 2027.
The delegation included H.E. Dr. Teeko Tozay Yorlay, Sr., Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Liberia to France; Madam Mildred Sayon, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives; Mr. Emmanuel Saye Larmeh, Minister-Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission; Mr. Senve Darlington Tehmeh, Minister-Counsellor for Public Affairs; and Madam Talifa Suah, Counsellor at the Embassy.
Also attending were Mr. Carl Engelsen, Director for West Africa at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), and other senior members of the French National Assembly. During the engagement, Hon. Gaye emphasized the importance of translating the longstanding friendship between Liberia and France into practical cooperation through parliamentary exchanges, institutional capacity-building, economic diplomacy, and sustained legislative engagement.
He highlighted the need for structured exchange programmes for newly elected lawmakers, technical training for legislative staff, and regular meetings between the parliamentary friendship groups of both countries to promote knowledge-sharing and institutional development.
Hon. Gaye also outlined Liberia’s development priorities under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, encouraging stronger French investment and partnerships in agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy, education, tourism, and other strategic sectors.
On multilateral cooperation, the Liberian side underscored the importance of closer consultations with France, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, during Liberia’s 2026–2027 tenure as a non-permanent member, particularly on peacebuilding, regional security, and conflict prevention in West Africa.
Responding, Hon. Guillaume Floquin reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Liberia and France, commending Liberia’s democratic leadership and its historic election of Africa’s first elected female Head of State, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
President Floquin also recalled his meeting with H.E. President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., during the Liberian leader’s State Visit to Paris and expressed appreciation to the Government of Liberia for its continued cooperation and commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
The discussions further highlighted the importance of sustained parliamentary dialogue, reciprocal exchanges, and institutional cooperation as both countries prepare to commemorate 175 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
The Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in Paris remains committed to advancing parliamentary diplomacy, strengthening bilateral partnerships, and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between Liberia and France.
