MONROVIA, Montserrado – The Liberian government has announced receipt of a US$50 million grant commitment from Hungary.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Hungarian government made the commitment to the sideline of the 74^th session of the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York.

The Foreign Ministry said the grant will be directed towards supporting developments in the information technology and the energy and water sectors.

The new agreement also commits the government of Hungary to provide 10 scholarships annually to Liberia, beginning in 2020, as part of the country’s effort to assist the government of Liberia with building human resource capacity abroad.

Foreign Minister Gbehzohngar Findley signed for the Liberian government, while Hungary’s minister of trade and foreign affairs also signed for his government.

“The scholarship is expected to be a 100 percent fully funded scholarship, as no fees will be required of benefiting students,” the ministry said.

Hungary is also expected to provide technical and capacity building support in fisheries, while at the same time initiating other programs aimed at stimulating growth in the sector.

The country has, meanwhile, requested that Liberia open a full consulate in its capital to further strengthen the already cordial bilateral relations existing between both countries.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry also announced an agreement with Iceland to establish an international air service between the two countries.

The signing ceremony also took place on the sideline of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, where Foreign Minister Findley again signed on behalf of Liberia. His Icelandic counterpart, Guolaugue Por Poroarson, signed for his country.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Iceland and Liberia signing new agreement. Photo courtesy of Liberia’s Foreign Ministry

“The agreement is desired by both countries to promote an international aviation system and to ensure the highest degree of safety and security in international air services, reaffirming their grave concern about acts of threats against the security of aircraft which jeopardize the safety of persons or property,” the ministry also revealed.

“The agreement will also serve as an opportunity to facilitate the expansion of international air service opportunities.”

Featured photo courtesy of Foreign Ministry