APS : Friday, 07 April 2017
WASHINGTON- The fourth session of the Algerian-U.S. Dialogue on security and fight against terrorism was “useful” and “fruitful,” said Thursday in Washington Minister of Maghreb Affairs,
African Union and Arab League Abdelkader Messahel.
In a statement following the meeting, Messahel said “this session was very positive given the current context,” adding that “the visit has, once again, strengthened the excellent relations between Algeria and the United States in the political, economic and security fields.”
As part of this dialogue, the two countries set up, few years ago, mechanisms that continue to work, recalled the minister.
Messahel hoped that the “excellent” relations between the two countries would be further strengthened in the coming years.
“Several important issues were on the agenda of the session,” said the Minister.
“We discussed at length regional crises, security situation in the sub-region and the crises in Arab countries, in addition to international challenges as well as cooperation in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime,” Messahel told the press.
As regards the regional crises, the minister reiterated Algeria’s consistent stance, based on the promotion of political solution, inclusive dialogue and national reconciliation in Libya and Mali.
“The session was an opportunity to assess the situation in the region, especially the conflicts in Libya and Mali, the fight against terrorism and the latest developments regarding some terrorist movements in the region,” said the minister.
The two sides also discussed the actions undertaken to face the “return of foreign fighters,” he added.
Messahel underlined that Algeria has shared its experience in deradicalization.
“We have shared our experience, what we went through in the 1990s and how Algeria has achieved stability thanks to the efforts of President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the national reconciliation policy,” he explained.
The situation in Syria and the Middle East, as well as the illegal migration and the fight against cyber crime were also among the main issues broached during the session, he added.
The Algerian delegation to the fourth session of Algeria-U.S dialogue was led by Minister of Maghreb Affairs, African Union and Arab League Abdelkader Messahel, while the American side was headed by Justin Siberell, the acting coordinator for Counterterrorism in the Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) at the U.S. Department of State, accompanied by officials from the Pentagon, foreign affairs, justice and internal security.
