By Sheku Tanga, Information Attaché Sierra Leone High Commission Abuja-Nigeria
The Ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria designate to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Yanko V. Yordanov said that the National Library of the Republic of Bulgaria ‘’St Cyril and Methodius’’ is keenly interested in exploring ways of developing cooperation with potential partners from the Republic of Sierra Leone and is requesting a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed that will strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation.
This was disclosed during his courtesy visit to the Acting High Commissioner of the Sierra Leone High Commission in Nigeria, Miss Anna Bety Moussa, on Thursday 20th, May, 2021 at Plot 308, Diplomatic Drive in Nigeria.
‘’The National Library of Bulgaria would appreciate if positive consideration is given by potential partners from the Republic of Sierra Leone in order to drive the process forward’’, said Ambassador Yanko V. Yordanov.
The Bulgaria Ambassador also presented to the High Commission of Sierra Leone their Candidature for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the period 2021-2025 at the 23rd session of the General Assembly of the State parties to World Heritage Convention of UNESCO in November, 2021 in Paris.
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ambassador called on the government of Sierra Leone through the Sierra Leone High Commission to support its candidature.
Sierra Leone is the 179th State Party to adopt the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and natural Heritage.
The Acting High Commissioner of the Sierra Leone High Commission in Nigeria, Miss Anna Moussa, in her response appreciated Ambassador Yordanov for his visit and thanked him also for trying to strengthen cooperation by partnering with Libraries in Sierra Leone. She described the initiative as a stunning development that the Government of Sierra Leone would like to embrace provided that it will add value to the country’s overall development goals.
The Acting High Commissioner used the occasion to appeal for more support in the areas of Health, Agriculture, trade and investments, she underlined the importance of Education as the flagship programme of the Government of Sierra Leone among others.
She also assured the Bulgaria Ambassador that the Note Verbale presented to the High Commission calling on the Government of Sierra Leone for support will be forwarded immediately to the appropriate authorities for action.
The presentation of the Bulgaria Ambassador to the Sierra Leone High Commission calling for cooperation from potential partners is in line with the new approach of the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Professor David John Francis, who now wants to strategically position Sierra Leone’s Foreign Missions in other to have a paradigm shift from Economic Diplomacy to Development Diplomacy.
The Acting High Commissioner of Sierra Leonean Miss Anna Bety Moussa and the Bulgaria Ambassador Yanko V. Yordanov assured each other of continuous bilateral engagements that would be beneficial to their respective countries.
