Algeria should speed up reforms, says French ambassador

Reforms in Algeria are serious and should be rapid so that investment cooperation projects with France will be achieved, French ambassador to Algiers Xavier Driencourt said on Thursday.

• “The investment cooperation will certainly be beneficial for Algeria as it will create new jobs,” Xavier Driencourt told a press conference in the province of Constantine (east of Algiers).
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• He said secularism issue is very important in France and the related-debate is linked to politics and elections. “It has nothing to do with Islam.
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• He admitted that Christian practices are decreasing while Islam is experiencing a clear revival.  
• “I am sorry that Algeria did not attend London conference on Libya. I am aware about Algeria’s value in the region and its strategic role in the Mediterranean, African and Arab level. It is the closest country to Libya,” he said.
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• He added that Algeria has a large experience in fighting terrorism. “Because of that, France can rely on it.”