Algerian-Russian Agreement To Protect Syria And Fight Terrorism Scourge

 Algeria and Russia have highlighted the need to respect Syrian sovereignty, unity and independence and to work together to combat the “remnants of terrorist groups”, paying attention to humanitarian issues, primarily by ensuring the safe return of Syrian refugees to their homes.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that he’d discussed with the Algerian side topical issues on the regional and international scene. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Algerian counterpart Abdelkader Messahel in Algiers on Thursday, he pointed to the imperious need of abiding by international law to overcome all problems peacefully and diplomatically, so as to promote our policies on the basis of equality and respect for other States. “

“We tackled the issues in the Middle East and North Africa and the Sahel, and also dwelt on the thorny Syrian issue, and we agreed to settle this burning file on the basis of UN resolution 22/54, by ensuring respect for the Syrian people’s will and bolstering the unity and independence of the country,” Mr Lavrov stated.

“The important thing is that we must resolutely fight the terrorism plague, we must fight the remaining remnants of terrorism, take care of humanitarian issues, ensure the return of the hapless refugees to their homes and resolve the political transition,” he said, while referring to the issue of combating the terrorism evil.

Mr Lavrov stressed the importance of the Algerian role in Libya and Mali and other issues. “We discussed a number of problems such as Yemen, and long-running crises such as the Palestinian issue, Western Sahara and the latest developments unfolding in the Sahel,” Lavrov said.

On more than one topic, Mr Lavrov mentioned the necessity to abide by international law as an effective mechanism for resolving crises known to the world.

Mr Lavrov also used the opportunity to condemn the US intervention in Venezuela just hours after Washington recognized Venezuelan Parliament Speaker Juan Guaidio as interim president of the country.

 “There are violations and interference in the internal affairs of countries. There have been attempts to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro.

 What America is doing by recognizing the alleged president, and getting it from other countries, is evidence that these countries are involved with them, which is very unfortunate”, he stressed.

He said that “what is happening on this political file is very surprising.”

“The two sides have discussed crises in a number of regions of the world, such as Syria, Palestine, Libya, Mali and Western Sahara,” Mr Messahel said at the joint press conference, stressing the need to respect the sovereignty of other states and the freedom of peoples and to strictly abide by the charters of the United Nations.

In the bilateral relations track, Mr Lavrov revealed the intention of his country’s companies to have a solid foothold in the national market, especially in the area of ​​oil and energy, and announced Russia’s intention to facilitate the procedures for granting visas to Algerians.

The Russian Diplomacy Chief also referred to a projected summit to be held between the two friendly countries after Algeria’s presidential elections slated for April 18th 2019.