Berlin, APRIL 1, SPA -- Germany is to make 2 billion euros (2.65 billiondollars) in aid available to the African continent over the next fouryears and will make an announcement to that effect at the G8 summitin June, reported dpa. A German government spokesman confirmed that combating AIDS inAfrica would form a major focus of the discussions of the Group ofEight leading industrialized countries to be held in the northernGerman town of Heiligendamm June 6-8. No fixed amount had been fixed, the spokesman said. Speaking to Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, Development Aid MinisterHeidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said the German G8 presidency had to send asignal from the Heiligendamm summit that it "takes seriously itsinternational commitment to combat poverty and HIV/AIDS." According to Der Spiegel news magazine, Chancellor Angel Merkel isto make an announcement regarding the increased aid at Heiligendamm,where the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan,Russia, and the United States meet to discuss world economic issues. The funds are also to be used to improve education, according toDer Spiegel.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/437422