The Minister of Foreign Affairs visits
Algeria
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides, completed
today his official visit to Algeria. During his stay in Algiers Mr Kasoulides
held separate meetings with his Algerian counterpart, Mr Ramtane Lamamra, the
Energy Minister, Mr Youcef Yousfi, Minister of Tourism, Mrs Yamina Nouria
Zerhouni, the Minister of Trade, Mr Amara Benyounes. He was also received by the
Prime Minister, Mr Abdelmalek Sellal.
During his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria,
Mr Kasoulides thanked him for the principled position of his country in the
framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The support of friendly
countries, said Mr Kasoulides, resulted in preventing the adoption of a relevant
resolution that includes references to the so called “TRNC” or/ and to a
“Turkish Cypriot State”.
Moreover, the two Ministers reviewed the course of the bilateral
relations and examined possible ways of expanding the cooperation between Cyprus
and Algeria in a number of sectors, such as energy and tourism. They also
discussed regional security issues and the situation in the countries of the
Eastern Mediterranean, with an emphasis on the developments in Libya and they
exchanged views on the prospect of revitalizing the Middle East peace process.
During his meeting with the Energy and Tourism Ministers of Algeria,
Mr Kasoulides discussed issues relating to the energy sector. He also informed
them of the Turkish provocative actions in the Cyprus EEZ, noting that Cyprus
will continue to implement its plans for exploration and exploitation of
hydrocarbons within its exclusive Economic Zone. The Ministers also expressed
the intention of Cyprus and Algeria to exchange best practices and expertise in
the energy and tourism sectors.
With regard to Mr Kasoulides’ meeting with the Algerian Minister of
Trade, in addition to bilateral relations and EU-Algeria relations on the trade
sector, the two Ministers discussed the promotion of Algeria's effort to become
a member of the World Trade Organization.
Finally, Mr Kasoulides attended a dinner hosted in his honor by his
Algerian counterpart, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Egypt who was also visiting Algiers. At the dinner the Ministers discussed
issues of common interest, with an emphasis on the developments in the
region.
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