By: Keith Morrison| Contributing Writer
Monaco, |March 9, 2026|Ahead of the official ceremony marking the presentation of his Letters of Credence to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, Ambassador Dr. Yorlay held a high-level meeting with Mr. Aleco Keusseoglou, President and Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Olivier Lavagna, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco (SEPM), Monaco’s port authority.
The discussions, held at the central office of the Port of Monaco, focused on advancing bilateral cooperation in capacity building, technical exchange, port front development, and port sector development. Ambassador Yorlay commended Monaco’s global leadership in marina management, cruise operations, and sustainable maritime infrastructure. He underscored Liberia’s commitment to modernizing its port system, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging strategic partnerships to strengthen technical capacity.
Highlighting the strategic role of the National Port Authority of Liberia (NPA), the Ambassador reaffirmed the Government of Liberia’s dedication to expanding maritime services, enhancing service delivery, and integrating modern, climate-resilient infrastructure into Liberia’s port infrastructure development. He also proposed the establishment of a formal framework for cooperation, including the development, signing, and implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SEPM and the National Port Authority of Liberia, with the aim of institutionalizing collaboration between the two institutions.
In response, Mr. Lavagna welcomed the Ambassador’s initiative to strengthen ties with Monaco’s ports. Following a detailed presentation on the activities of Monaco’s ports—primarily focused on yachting and cruise operations—he noted that the most promising avenue for cooperation would be capacity building and knowledge sharing.
Ambassador Yorlay welcomed this proposal, emphasizing that human capacity development should remain central to the partnership. He stressed that professional training and skills transfer for Liberian port personnel are essential to improving operational performance, stimulating economic growth, and creating meaningful opportunities for young professionals in Liberia’s maritime sector.
The meeting concluded with an invitation for the Managing Director of the National Port Authority of Liberia to visit Monaco for further discussions and the conclusion of a partnership agreement. Mr. Lavagna also committed to submitting a draft Memorandum of Understanding through Ambassador Yorlay to the NPA for review and finalization, with the aim of formalizing cooperation between the Société d’Exploitation des Ports de Monaco and the National Port Authority of Liberia.
