Algeria, Italy FMs Vow to Boost Bilateral Relations

Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci said Algeria and Italy are due to boost their bilateral cooperation, in all sectors, including economy, culture and security.

Mr Medelci is paying a work visit to Rome to attend the meting of 5+5 group, on the sidelines of which he held talks with his Italian counterpart, Giulio Terzi Sant’Agata.

He was quoted by the APS news agency as saying “We have essentially discussed bilateral relations; we have assessed the level of cooperation in sectors of economy, culture and security, and we have agreed to work more to develop them.”

Meanwhile, Mr Medelci indicated that his Italian counterpart is due to pay a work visit to Algiers, as part of preparations for the upcoming Bilateral Higher Summit, which should take place in Algiers before the end of this year. 

“We have agreed also to get profit of the upcoming visit of Italian Minister for Economic Development to Algeria, in a way to examine the possibility to hold a forum for Algerian and Italian enterprises before the inauguration of the International Fair of Algiers in June,” Mr Medelci added.

The North African official said he discussed some issues that interest the Maghreb and the Mediterranean regions, which have already been debated during themeeting of 5+5 group .

On another side, Mr Medelci mentioned that at the sidelines of the meeting of 5+5 group, he held talks with his French counterpart, Alain Jupe, “on bilateral relations, which have been boosted during the last few months.” He added that he evoked the Syrian issue with the French official, and “I have once more recalled the position of Algeria vis-à-vis the Syrian issue, which favours the implementation of the Arab League peace road map.