APS : Thursday, 28 June 2018
ALGIERS-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel hailed Thursday in Algiers the “exceptional” quality of relations between Algeria and the United States “as evidenced” by the dialogue on security issues and the fight
against terrorism.
“First of all, I welcome the exceptional quality of relations between our two countries as evidenced by this dialogue, which also aims to develop and deepen consultation and cooperation on a list of issues in constant development,” said Messahel at the 5th session of the Algeria-US dialogue on security and counterterrorism, which he co-chaired with the US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.
Moreover, he underlined the importance Algeria attaches to the “continuation and consolidation” of this dialogue as it “allows us to better consider our respective concerns over the issues of common and to engage in a mutually beneficial cooperation between some of our institutions”.
“Another aspect of our cooperation is the military dialogue, of which the 8th session took place in Algiers last February. The meeting allowed officials to assess the progress made in bilateral cooperation and define prospects for their consolidation,” said Messahel.
In this regard, the Algerian top diplomat reaffirmed Algeria’s willingness to “boost these relations and extend them to new areas of common interest under partnership, mutual respect and friendship,” notably in economy.
Messahel also said that Algeria “is continuing its efforts to create an environment conducive for investment and provide US companies with new productive investment opportunities, both in the hydrocarbons sector and in other sectors.”
Regarding this new session of the security dialogue, the FM stressed that “it takes place in a regional context imbued with major challenges that pose threats to regional and international peace and security. We share views and analysis on this issue.”
Detailing challenges, Messahel referred to radicalization and violent extremism as well as the threat of terrorism, “which are spreading despite international mobilization to combat them.”
Terrorism “continues to kill citizens in many countries, particularly in the Sahel-Saharan strip, and other regions,” he continued.
“The return of foreign terrorist fighters also represents a serious threat to the countries of origin but also to many other countries, especially those with insufficient capacity to combat them,” he said, stressing that the close link between terrorist groups and transnational organized crime, “provides both of them with significant financial means.”
As for illegal migration, the minister said that it “is increasingly becoming a serious threat in many parts of the world.”
“Illegal migration is a threat of great concern to Algeria, which has become a host country regularly receiving large flows of migrants sent by criminal groups” to the country’s southern borders, Messahel regretted.
Combating terrorism financing is another “urgent” issue that concerns the entire international community, said Messahel, who recalled the organization, in last April in Algiers, of an African conference on the fight against terrorism financing.
Besides, Messahel affirmed that Algeria, “which has conducted a successful policy of national reconciliation and de-radicalization, firmly believes in the values of living together in peace in the world within societies and between nations,” recalling that this policy has been initiated, conducted and led by President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
“At the initiative of Algeria and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly, the world celebrated on 16 May, and for the first time in its history, the World Day for Living Together in Peace,” concluded Messahel.
