APS : Sunday, 11 March 2018
ALGIERS-Chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Saturday hailed Algeria’s “active role” in the implementation of the AU agenda 2063.
“We are convinced and not surprised at Algeria’s active support to the implementation of the AU agenda 2063, vitally useful for our continent,” said Faki in a press statement after his talks with Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel.
Faki, who is on a working visit to Algeria, said he discussed with Messahel integration of the continent as the last AU summit took key decisions, notably the launch of Africa’s Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), which will be the focus of the AU leaders summit on 21 March in Kigali (Rwanda). He also welcomed Algeria’s contribution to this important African project.
The draft protocol of free movement of persons, the African passport and the common market for air transport are the three flagship projects of the AU agenda 2063 being currently discussed throughout the continent.
As for his meeting with Messahel, Faki stressed he focused on the issues of peace and security in the continent.
“As you know, Algeria has a proven counterterrorism experience and this is why the AU has entrusted President Bouteflika to be the champion of the African continent in this matter,” stated Faki.
At the AU request, Algeria presented a report on counterterrorism and is about to hold a conference terrorism financing sources on 9-10 April.
Moreover, the AU official said that he discussed with Messahel the “financial and institutional aspects of the AU reform” as well as the situation in the Sahel region, Mali and South Sudan.
