Algerian-Iranian agreement to intensify strategic cooperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has that said his country and Algeria have agreed to intensify their strategic cooperation, as well as holding preparatory meetings of an Algeria-Iran Joint Commission.

An official Algerian source reported on Wednesday that following Zarif’s reception by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algiers, bilateral cooperation methods were addressed in which “a joint decision to hold the meetings that fall within the framework of the preparation of Algeria-Iran Joint High Commission” was reached.

Zarif pointed out that the meeting created the opportunity “to hear the views of President Bouteflika” on several issues, including those related to nuclear talks. On this matter, he said that: “There have been similar views and positions regarding the right of developing countries in the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” and he praised the “support shown by the government and people of Algeria” in this regard.

According to the official APS news agency, the two sides also discussed efforts being made to restore calm in the Arab region, especially in Syria and Yemen, where Zarif mentioned that Algeria and his country adopt “similar positions” and “believe in the need to search for a political solution to stop the bloodshed without foreign interference.”

In this context, Zarif pointed out that President Bouteflika “has stressed the need to find practical steps in this direction,” stressing that Iran has “completely agreed on this idea.”

Zarif is scheduled to end his visit to Algeria on Wednesday, which began on Tuesday from Tunisia.