APS : Tuesday, 25 October 2022
ALGIERS-Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad Ramtane Lamamra held Tuesday, in Algiers, talks with Secretary of the Vatican for Relations with States and International Organizations,
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
This meeting coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Algeria and the Vatican, said Lamamra, stressing that the two sides hope for “more consultations, cooperation, dialogue and understanding.”
“Algeria is ‘‘proud’’ of the convergence of views with the Vatican on several international issues, including the fight against terrorism and the development of international relations,” added the minister.
The head of Algerian diplomacy said that Christian Algerian citizens have “all citizenship rights in Algeria,” expressing Algeria’s “pride” in their participation in the liberation and building of the modern independent state of Algeria.
On the Palestinian issue, he welcomed the Vatican’s recognition of the State of Palestine and its principled positions on al-Quds as an occupied city and on which international law must be applied.
For his part, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher said he was “particularly happy” to visit Algeria at this important time when the world “is in such need for solidarity and dialogue.”
“We discussed issues of common interest and notably underlined the good diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Algeria,” said Archbishop Gallagher, welcoming the signing of the “Algiers Declaration” between the Palestinian factions.
