Lagos - German President Horst Koehler, nearing the end of a six-day visit to Nigeria, on Tuesday praised the African country for its strong forward-looking orientation.

In the southern city of Lagos, Koehler said that his visit had helped him to the realization that the country had a great deal of strength in moving forwards.

The German president said that, after the end of its military dictatorship, Nigeria was now in the third phase of democratisation. More than some other countries, Nigeria had understood that the future in a globalised world must be shaped in "genuine partnership."

Abuja - German President Horst Koehler signed two bilateral economic policy accords with Nigeria on Monday, after calling for a permanent seat for Africa on the United Nations Security Council.

Koehler, continuing his six-day visit to Nigeria, said that in efforts to reform the UN Security Council, there must be a "fair representation of Africa," although he did not specify which country should be considered to hold the seat.

Abuja - German President Horst Koehler on Sunday called on developed nations and African countries to fight the illegal trade in raw materials.

Illegal trade in oil, timber or diamonds had to be classed as criminal and prosecuted, Koehler said at the close of the fourth Africa Forum in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

Curbing illegal trade in raw materials did not necessarily depend on the stability in Africa.

Abuja - Decrying a return to fighting in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, German President Horst Koehler Saturday urged all African nations to put an end to their disputes.

"This must have an end," said Koehler, speaking at the German- sponsored fourth Africa Forum in the Nigerian capital of Abuja. He said the news from DR Congo was "particularly disappointing."

As the forum met, the leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda were at a meeting in Kenya to try to negotiate an end to the fighting in eastern DR Congo.

Abuja - German President Horst Koehler urged on Friday for "a new regulatory framework for the global economy," at the opening of the fourth Partnership for Africa forum being held in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

Koehler arrived on Friday with his wife Eva Luise for a six-day visit devoted to bilateral and African issues.

In his opening speech Koehler made specific reference to the shared challenges presented by the current global financial crisis.

Abuja- Nigeria was awaiting the arrival Friday of German President Horst Koehler and his wife Eva Luise for the start of a six-day visit devoted to bilateral and African issues.

In Abuja, Koehler will be meeting with Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and taking part, through Sunday, in the fourth "Africa Forum" for a review of a number of policy issues.

Abuja is the fourth venue for the Africa Forum, after meetings in Bonn, Ghana, and the German town of Kloster Eberbach.