Monrovia — President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has held talks in Stockholm with Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) Minister, Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, who has pledged to support Liberia's efforts to achieve national reconstruction and renewal.

Minister Carlsson emphasized that her government sees Liberia as a positive light for Africa, adding that both countries have a shared commitment towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). She described Liberia as a very good partner identified by Sweden.

President Johnson Sirleaf, who arrived in Stockholm Monday at the start of a two-day official visit, said her trip to Sweden can be likened to a home-coming, given the fact that Liberians have lived and worked in Sweden for many years.

She added that her government has restored hope to a country previously riddled by conflict, emphasizing that Liberians now feel they are a part of the development process. President Johnson Sirleaf further added that her government has embarked on a new era for Liberia and has put in place policies and programs that will bring results.

In another development, the President has also held private talks with King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden. During the meeting, the President briefed the Swedish monarch on the modest progress her government has made thus far and also solicited his support for Liberia.

On the final day of her visit, the Liberian leader will on Tuesday meet Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt and deliver a lecture on 'The Challenges of Post-Conflict Development' at the Swedish Parliament.

President Johnson Sirleaf's delegation to Sweden includes Grand Bassa County Senator Gbezongar Findley; Montserrado County Representative Alomiza Ennos-Barr; Foreign Minister Olubanke-King-Akerele; Finance Minister Antoinette Sayeh; Gender and Development Minister Varbah Gayflor; and Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Managing Director John Woods. Others include Liberia's ambassadors to Germany, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom.