By: Keith Morrison | Contributing Writer
Paris, France | March 31, 2026 |His Excellency Dr. Teeko Tozay Yorlay Sr. held a strategic meeting with Mr. Cedric VIRCIGLIO, Director for International Relations, European Affairs and Strategic Foresight, HAROPA PORT, at the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia near Paris, France.
According to an official dispatch issued by the Embassy, the discussions focused on the establishment of a sister port relationship between Liberia’s National Port Authority (NPA) and HAROPA PORT.
During the meeting, Ambassador Yorlay expressed sincere appreciation to Mr. VIRCIGLIO and the management of HAROPA PORT for accepting the invitation for a meeting and engaging in discussions of strategic importance aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation within the maritime and logistics sectors.
The Ambassador also underscored that this initiative aligns with the Government of Liberia’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations with France through institutional partnerships and people-to-people exchanges. The Ambassador further highlighted the development vision of H.E. President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, as articulated through the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which also emphasizes strengthening international cooperation to support national development objectives.
In response, Mr. VIRCIGLIO expressed enthusiasm for the establishment of such a partnership and provided an overview of HAROPA PORT, noting its creation in 2021 through the integration of the ports of Le Havre, Rouen, and Paris into a unified system along the Seine corridor. He emphasized that HAROPA PORT functions as a leading European logistics platform, connecting maritime shipping, inland waterways, rail freight, logistics services, and industrial operations within a fully integrated network serving both national and international trade flows.
Both parties, as per the dispatch, agreed in principle to establish a sister port relationship between the National Port Authority of Liberia and HAROPA PORT.
The proposed cooperation framework is expected to be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering key areas, including capacity building and professional training, technical knowledge exchange, port development and modernization support as well as potential assistance in addressing equipment and operational needs.
Mr. VIRCIGLIO committed to submitting a draft MoU within two weeks for review by the Liberian side, particularly the National Port Authority (NPA). He also expressed readiness to receive a technical delegation from NPA and committed to sharing a draft program for a working visit in advance.
Mr. VIRCIGLIO equally welcomed the proposal for a preliminary visit by Ambassador Yorlay and his team to HAROPA PORT for site assessment or further engagement with the management.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their willingness to sustain engagement toward the formalization of this significant partnership.
