President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Thursday received the Letters of Credence of three Ambassadors accredited near Monrovia. They are: the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of France, H.E. Gerard Larome; H.E. Attilio Pacifici of the European Union; and H.E. Gilberto Buta Lutucuta of the Republic of Angola. Ambassador Lutucuta is the first Angolan Ambassador to be accredited near Monrovia since relations were established between the two countries, long before Angola's independence in 1975.

The President recalled the long standing relationship between Angola and Liberia, dating back to the independence struggle, when Liberia championed the cause for the liberation of Africa from colonial rule.

The Liberian leader praised efforts by Angola to help secure peace in Liberia, and indicated that the accreditation of an Ambassador would help strengthen relations between the two countries. The President then conveyed warmest best wishes to the Angolan President, Eduardo dos Santos, whom she recalled meeting on a number of occasions while in the employ of the United Nations.

Responding, the Angolan envoy said he was honored to serve as Ambassador of his country to Liberia, and promised to help work towards consolidating relations between the two countries.

In presenting his Letters of Credence, the French Ambassador, H.E. Gerard Larome, disclosed that five Liberian police officers will leave shortly to undergo a three-week training course in Paris. Upon their return, he said, they will help train about 150 police officers in crowd control and maintaining law and order.

The President praised the Government of France for its commitment towards Liberia's development goals. She spoke specifically of France's backing of her request for budget support.

For his part, the EU Ambassador, H.E. Attilio Pacifici, informed President Sirleaf that European Union Member States have given the green light to provide budget support totaling 20 million Euros, as a first step.

The President welcomed the support, describing it as recognition of Government's efforts to improve financial management which also translates into support for the General Auditing Commission, being supported by the European Commission.

The President lauded the partnerships, reiterating the need for Liberia to exercise ownership of its development priorities. "We want to allow support along with our priorities until a long-term development agenda is formulated," the President added.

The Liberian leader hoped that with residence in Liberia of the EU Mission, there would be an acceleration of projects being supported by the Commission.