Monrovia — President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf says the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Liberia is a recognition of the efforts of her government to move the country forward.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the President spoke on Sunday at the Foreign Ministry when she received the German Chancellor, Mrs. Angela Merkel, on the last leg of a three-nation African tour.

Chancellor Merkel said she and the Liberian leader have made progress since their last meeting in Berlin, Germany. The German Chancellor expressed her government's commitment to helping rebuild Liberia. Germany, Chancellor Merkel said has every interest in helping Liberia sustain itself. The German leader said her country will continue to play a leading role in Liberia's campaign toward debt cancellation. Chancellor Merkel expressed her government's desire to do what ever that country can to enable Liberia enjoy a good and prosperous future.

Speaking later at a reception tendered in honor of the German Chancellor and delegation the two leaders recalled the long standing relationship between Germany and Liberia and expressed the hope that the visit of the German leader will further strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries.

Germany has, meanwhile, announced that it is making available more than 5 - million US dollars toward the country's Infrastructure Trust Fund, set up to support the reconstruction of the country. The latest is an additional funding being provided by the Germans. Last May, Germany announced a contribution of nearly 15-million U.S. dollars toward the Fund during a visit by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Chancellor Markel promised to encourage other countries to contribute. Germany has also promised to assist Liberia plan its transport sector.

In a press conference hosted by the two leaders, President Johnson Sirleaf later told reporters that Germany was also making available 3-hundred thousand bed nets to help Liberia's fight against malaria.

On the up coming European Union-Africa Summit, the German Chancellor said cooperation between Europe and Africa was too paramount and expressed the hope the controversy over the participation of Zimbabwean President; Robert Mugabe would not overshadow the summit. The Chancellor made it clear that all African countries should be invited to the summit.

The German Chancellor and Party have left the country for home. The delegation departed the country Sunday night and was seen off at the Roberts International Airport by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and senior officials of government. Sunday's visit to Liberia marked the first by any German leader to the country since the 1960s. Chancellor Merkel was rounding up a three nation African tour which took her to Ethiopia, South Africa and Liberia.