APS : Thursday, 12 May 2016
DOHA- Minister of Maghreb Affairs, African Union and Arab League Abdelkader Messahel hailed, Thursday in Doha (Qatar), the special relations between Algeria and China, adding that they have helped building a comprehensive strategic partnership beneficial for the two countries and the two peoples.
In his address at the 7th ministerial meeting of China-Arab Cooperation Forum, held in the Qatari capital, Messahel underlined that Algeria “is continuously working for the success of the strategic partnership with China.”
Chinese economic operators in Algeria “benefit of all support and necessary facilities for the investment opportunities in the country,” he said, adding that this cooperation “is a mutually beneficial strategic choice.”
Messahel also expressed Algeria’s gratitude to China for “the interest it attaches to the Arab region and the African continent, and its support to the initiatives aiming at strengthening political stability and socioeconomic development” of these regions.
In this regard, the minister underlined that cooperation areas between China and Arab countries “have been developed and diversified since the creation of China-Arab Cooperation Forum in 2004.”
After the ministerial meeting, held in Beijing in 2014, partnership between China and Arab states “has significantly developed in all areas,” he said.
This partnership has encompasses technical, scientific and cultural cooperation, as well as investments in infrastructure projects, he added.
Messahel said that the values of dialogue and peace shared by the two sides and their commitment to the international law “encourage us to further strengthen our cooperation.”
He also hailed China’s continuous support to Arab causes, especially the Palestinian cause.
In this regard, the minister reiterated Algeria’s support to the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish their independent State within June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds as its capital.
Messahel reaffirmed that Algeria “will spare no effort in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and organized crime, which are threatening international peace and stability,” and underlined the need for continuous coordination to dry up their funding sources and defeat them.
As regards Libyan crisis, Messahel said that Algeria, which has made every effort to make the UN-sponsored political process advance in the country, welcomed the transfer of the Libyan Presidential Council to Tripoli, dubbing it an “essential step” for the country to recover its authority, carry out its missions and preserve its sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity, and the cohesion of its people.
Algeria continues to support the institutions of the neighbouring country within the framework of cooperation programmes in all areas, he added.
Messahel also called to promote political solutions, based on the respect for international law, dialogue and national reconciliation in all crises, especially in Syria and Yemen, with a view to preserving the stability and sovereignty of the two sister countries.
The minister said that owing to its geostrategic position as well as its huge natural and human resources, “the Arab region can play a key role in global stability,” underlining the need to strengthen and coordinate efforts to counter all threats facing the region.
Messahel also hailed the brotherly relations between Algeria and Qatar, marked by “regular political consultation” on different issues of common interest and a mutually beneficial economic cooperation.
