Berlin  - German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised Saturday to support Colombian efforts to strengthen the country's democracy, during a visit to Berlin by Colombian President Alvaro Uribe.

Uribe told Merkel at the meeting of significant Colombian achievements in recent years, especially with regards to security.

He said the murder rate had reached its lowest rate in 30 years, and kidnappings were at a 25-year low. The country is welcoming the highest number of tourists in 20 years, and seeing rising rates of investment, Uribe said.

Trade featured high on the agenda during the talks, and the Colombian president thanked Merkel for Germany's role in advancing free trade negotiations with the European Union.

Of the impending trade deals, Uribe said, "As soon as we sign the new agreement with the European Union, there will be a new source that forces us to respect human rights."

During the meeting between the two leaders, campaign group Amnesty International demonstrated outside the chancellery, criticizing Colombia's poor human rights record.

Merkel said of Colombia's respect for human rights, "it is indisputable that the situation has improved, even if it is not ideal from our perspective."

She also conceded however, that "it is not always to put into practice the things we picture theoretically."

She spoke of her encouragement in light of the fact that many corrupt police officers and politicians had been put behind bars.

The chancellor said that Germany had a role to play in improving the rule of law in Colombia, "by giving perspectives for the development of economic wealth." (dpa)