PARIS, March 21 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac urged the incoming head of the IMF, Horst Koehler, to pay close attention to developing countries and notably countries in Africa, Koehler said on Tuesday.
Koehler, who currently heads the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), is set to be elected managing director of the International Monetary Fund this week with the support of France, to succeed Frenchman Michel Camdessus.
Koehler said after meeting Chirac at the presidential palace here that he was consulting international leaders to prepare for the post.
Koehler said that Chirac had spoken of his particular interest in developing countries and notably in Africa, and Koehler said that this was also an important subject for the IMF.
Reduction of debt was an important element of overall strategy against poverty so as to improve chances for developing countries.
But debt reeduction had to be part of an overall strategy involving structural changes, reforms and good government, Koehler said.
Asked about relations between the IMF and Russia, he said that this was an important matter for the Fund but he stressed the importance of developing countries.:
