APS : Thursday, 28 June 2018
ALGIERS-The 5th session of the Algeria-United States dialogue on security issues and counterterrorism took place Thursday in Algiers under the co-chairmanship of Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel and US Deputy
Secretary of State John J. Sullivan.
Speaking during the meeting, Messahel said the session takes place in a regional context imbued with “major challenges” and threats to regional and international peace and security, including radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism.
“We seize the opportunity of the 5th Algeria-US session to discuss the recent developments of conflict situations, notably in Libya, Mali and the Sahel region, with a view to pooling efforts to promote peaceful solutions compliant with international law and with respect for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of these countries, far from any non-interference in their internal affairs,” stated Messahel.
For his part, the US official stressed the meeting was an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the two countries, including counterterrorism.
Security is one of the key thrusts of bilateral cooperation, he continued.
“The United States is proud to cooperate with Algeria in addressing the terrorist threat and welcomes its willingness to share its counterterrorism experience with other countries,” he said.
The US is also grateful to Algeria “for its leadership in restoring peace and security in the region, particularly in Libya and Mali, and for its efforts within the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF),” stated John Sullivan.
The Algeria-US cooperation is not limited to security. The US is willing to extend economic cooperation with Algeria to other sectors, particularly in investment.
“We also attach great importance to exchanges between both countries’ citizens part of strengthening bilateral relations,” stressed the same official.
After the opening ceremony, Messahel offered Sullivan a copy of the Algeria-US Friendship Treaty signed between the two countries in 1795.
