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| Ellen, New French President Meet -Assures Budgetary Support To Liberia |
| Published on May 25, 2007 | Email To Friend Print Version
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President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, on the last leg of a visit abroad, has met with the newly-elected President of France, Mr. Nicholas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace, the official Residence of the French President in Paris. Following welcoming formalities by the French Republican guard, the Liberian leader and Mr. Sarkozy held discussions on a number of bilateral, regional and sub-regional issues.
The President briefed the French President on reconstruction and development initiatives of government, including the restructuring of the security forces, reconstruction, economic revitalization and good governance. The Liberian leader spoke of the challenges government continues to face, especially in the area of employment. The President thanked the government and people of France for their support toward the development initiatives of Liberia, and expressed the hope that the recent to Liberia of the French investors would result in direct French investment in the country.
According to an Executive Mansion dispatch from Paris, The President also reiterated the debt issue, which continues to impede the development efforts of government, and urged France to support efforts by other friendly governments and other multilateral institutions to tackle the country’s debt burden.
Responding, President Sarkozy expressed delight at meeting with President Sirleaf, and said his government fully supports any arrangements being worked by the World Bank, the International Monary Fund as well as the African Development Bank (ABD) and other multilateral institutions and governments to address the debt problem affecting Liberia.
Mr. Sarkozy recalled an earlier meeting last year in Paris between the two when he served as Interior Minister. “I have always had a high regards and respect for you; I will do my part to help you succeed,” the French President assured the Liberian Chief Executive. President Sirleaf is the first African and World leader to meet with the French President since his inauguration a week ago.
Meanwhile France has announced additional budgetary support for Liberia.
At a follow-up session with French officials, the government announced that it would provide more than quarter of a million United States dollars toward budgetary support for Liberia, bringing to a total, over one-point five million United States dollars French budgetary support for Liberia.
France has also agreed to train and provide logistics for the New Liberian National Police Force. The French have requested the relevant agencies of the Liberian government to submit a comprehensive listing of police priority areas to its Mission in Monrovia for action. “The sooner, the better,” the French President added.
Friday’s meeting with the new French President follows a meeting on Wednesday in Berlin with the Chancellor of Germany, Mrs. Angela Merkel. President Johnson Sirleaf on Wednesday delivered the keynote address at the African Partnership Forum, which ended in Berlin on Wednesday. The President addressed a number of gender issues affecting the African continent and the need to take more concerted action to improve the conditions of African women.
Friday’s discussions between President Johnson Sirleaf and Sarkozy were attended by Liberia’s Ambassador to France, Mr. Mckinley Thomas and Lands, Mines & Energy Minister, Dr. Eugene Shannon.
The Liberian leader and delegation return to the country on Friday.
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