The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the issue of corruption, urging that the menace be confronted squarely.
The EU’s concern was made known over the weekend by the Head of Delegation of the European Union, Mrs. Helene Cave, who said a robust fight against corruption in Liberia will invigorate donor interest in continued and heightened involvement in the country’s development process.
The EU envoy was speaking when Vice President, Chief Jewel Howard Taylor paid a visit to the EU mission in the diplomatic enclave of Mamba Point in Monrovia, where she was a special honored guest, according to a press release from the VP’s office.
The Head of Delegation of the EU warmly received the Liberian Vice President and expressed appreciation for the visit.
Ambassador Cave provided Dr. Taylor a detailed update on EU activities and projects ongoing in Liberia. Stressing the EU’s firm commitment to its involvement in the effort to improve the lives of Liberian.
Mrs, Cave said her EU fully embraces the Government’s Pro-Poor Agenda, which she opinioned is well intentioned.
The EU Ambassador highlighted the Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) Program funded by the EU to be implemented in eight of the fifteen counties.
She congratulated Liberia on the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Zone Agreement, expressing her hope that the instrument will earn legislative ratification.
Responding, Vice President Taylor expressed the Liberian Government‘s deep appreciation for the manifold worthy projects that the EU has continued to support in the country.
VP Taylor assured the EU Ambassador that, the Pro-poor agenda was thoughtfully crafted with the primary objective to make Liberia work for Liberians, adding that corruption will be tactfully and forcefully confronted. To enhance this anti-corruption fight.
The Liberian Vice President said she thought “the establishment of special court to prosecute corruption cases, will be most helpful in this fight.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Taylor has commended the European Union for its tremendous support to Liberia’s development, especially the 2017 Presidential and Legislative elections.
The Vice President said, the EU has not only been supportive of the country’s infrastructure and human development programs, but its democratic governance processes.
According to the Liberian VP, the EU was very instrumental in providing logistical and technical supports to various democratic institutions, including the National Elections commission, to ensure a peaceful transition in 2017.
The VP recalled that in addition to its support to the electoral process, the EU also deployed national and international observers who she described as professionals, who diligently reported on issues surrounding elections.
During the meeting, the EU Ambassador presented some brochures on EU programs in Liberia.