Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone pledge peaceful coexistence, border cooperation
Xinhua
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CONAKRY, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful coexistence and cooperation along their shared borders, following a high-level tripartite summit held here.

The meeting brought together Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Julius Maada Bio, president of Sierra Leone. Cote d'Ivoire attended the meeting as an observer, represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Niale Kaba.

Convened at the initiative of the Guinean president, the summit aimed to foster direct dialogue on border-related issues among member states of the Mano River Union, a West African intergovernmental organization comprising Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In the final communique, the leaders reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and good neighborliness, and agreed that all border-related disputes would be resolved through peaceful and diplomatic means.

To strengthen regional security, the leaders pledged to enhance cooperation among their defense and security institutions in combating threats such as terrorism, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking.

The summit further emphasized the importance of promoting economic development in border areas, with consensus reached upon cooperation in key sectors, including trade, infrastructure, energy, environmental protection, and the free movement of persons, goods and services.

In addition, they directed the related national agencies to convene urgently to prevent and contain incidents, facilitate dialogue among local communities, and work toward coordinated and sustainable solutions.