State Secretary for Foreign Affairs meets Liberia's President

On Thursday an EU delegation led by State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Hans Dahlgren met Liberia's President Charles Taylor today during their round trip in the region.

Dahlgren conveyed the EU's support for the UN sanctions against Liberia, in the light of the country's involvement in the civil war in Sierra Leone.

'The situation in Sierra Leone is gradually becoming more stable', said Dahlgren, emphasizing that Liberia must meet the demands of the Security Council that it end its contacts with the RUF rebel movement. Only then can the lifting of UN sanctions be considered.

Dahlgren also emphasized the importance of political dialogue between Liberia and Guinea in the light of the reports on increased violence and serious humanitarian problems in the border areas between the countries.

The United Nations Security Council has decided to impose economic sanctions and travel restrictions on the Liberian Government, partly because of the country's role in the smuggling of diamonds and weapons in Sierra Leone.

State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Hans Dahlgren visited Monrovia with representatives of the EU Commission and of Belgium, which will take over the EU Presidency after Sweden on 1 July. On 29-31May the EU delegation visited four West African states: Mali, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

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