Lord Whittingdale (3rd from right) presents plaque to Liberian delegation

The governments of the United Kingdom and Liberia have recounted the pioneering role of both countries that proudly culminated into the establishment of the global parliamentary network, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
 
The vice chair of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (BGIPU) Lord John Whittingdale opined that such important epoch has formed the basis for substantive discourse and cooperation around global governance and leadership between parliaments of the world.
 
Presenting a plaque to honor the delegation from the lower house of the Liberian legislature while celebrating the  historic ties that continue to foster between the UK and Liberia, Lord Whittingdale stressed that Liberia’s re-entry  to the global Parliamentary network  is a matter of both historic  importance and contemporary  relevance.
 
Lord Whittingdale noted that Liberia continues to broaden its democratic space while improving citizens’ participation – assuring that the United Kingdom looks forward to deepening its relations with Liberia via the IPU framework.
 
The BGIPU official added that the visit of the Liberian delegation to the Westminster Parliament has rekindled the profound spirit of cooperation with their counterparts in Liberia.
 
Responding, the head of the Liberian delegation, Representative Johnson Gwaikolo ideally situated Liberia’s pathway to returning to the fold of the global Parliament forum, despite periodic inactivity. He recalled Liberia’s delegation to Santiago, Chile during the early 90s where he and other colleagues presented Liberia’s case for realignment, notwithstanding the state of uneasiness Liberia was dealing with.
 
 He asserted that Liberia’s democratic transformation has witnessed a vigorous interaction with the comity of nations; where Liberia is fully represented at regional and international parliamentary levels, referencing ECOWAS, African Union amongst others.
 
Representative Gwaikolo emphasized Liberia’s commitment to adopt a more progressive re-engagement through the IPU framework, the IPU.

He commended his colleagues at the British Parliament and BGIPU for the recognition and reflection of how far both nations share in common.
 
Rep. Gwaikolo expressed the hope that history and emerging dynamics will form the basis for the new dimension for UK-Liberia relations; exploring increased collaboration and maintaining strategic partnership with their counterparts in Westminster.

The delegation from the House of Representatives in Liberia was guest of the British Group of the Inter-Parliamentary (BGIPU), held discussions with the British Parliament on matters concerning International development and increasing British private capital n Liberia. The delegation was in London from the 7-11 of May 2018.
 

Albert Jaja