APS :Saturday, 23 September 2017
NEW YORK – Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdelkader Messahel held discussions, Friday in New York, with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, on the sidelines of the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.
The two sides focused mainly on cooperation between Algeria and the UN as well as on other issues high on the UN Agenda, especially the situation in Western Sahara, Mali and Libya.
As regards the Western Sahara, Messahel recalled that this issue comes under the decolonization process in accordance with the UN Resolution 1514.
He added that there could be no lasting solution to the Western Sahara conflict other than allowing Sahrawi people exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.
As for the situation in Mali, Messahel reiterated to the UN chief Algeria’s commitment to continue its efforts in promoting dialogue among the Malian brothers to overcome their differences and move forward in the implementation of the Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in Mali.
In this regard, he stressed the need for greater contribution of the UN to a lasting solution to the crisis in Mali.
As regards the situation in Libya, Messahel reiterated Algeria’s support to the UN’s new roadmap for the resolution of the Libyan crisis, presented by the UN Special Representative Ghassane Salame at the High-Level Meeting on Libya, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
He also reiterated Algeria’s commitment to continue supporting Libyan brothers in their search for a political solution to the crisis in their country, through dialogue and national reconciliation.
For his part, Antonio Guterres expressed satisfaction at the exemplary cooperation between Algeria and the UN, as well as for its active and constructive role for regional and international peace and security.
He added that in his capacity as the UN Secretary General he considers Algeria among major partners in the building and strengthening of peace throughout the world.
Guterres also reiterated UN’s commitment to making every effort to accelerate the process for solutions to Western Sahara conflict and the crises in Mali and Libya, in accordance with international law.
