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Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee,
Congressman Ed Royce:
First of all, I would like
to thank you both for accepting to co-chair the Congressional Algeria Caucus
that we are inaugurating today.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We
are gathered here today on the occasion of the formation of the Algeria
Caucus in the United States Congress. Indeed, this event represents a major
landmark in Algerian-American relations. It is also a timely and welcome
development in a history that has been characterized by friendship and
cooperation for decades. The Algeria Caucus is the consecration of efforts by
both countries and their leaders to take this relationship to a higher and
very promising level.
Algeria and the United States of America have in common a lot more than interests. They both
cherish freedom and justice and fought with determination to rid themselves of oppression. They have also stood side by
side in happy times and in times of trial as well. The Algerian people will
forever remember the brave position taken by then-Senator John F. Kennedy and
many others in the United States Congress in support of their independence.
Similarly, Algeria and its people have always valued the friendship of
the United
States of America and its people. In 1979, Algeria lent the full force of its diplomacy and political
influence to secure the freedom of 52 Americans held hostage in Iran.
Today,
as I salute the tremendous developments registered over the past few years by
relations between our two countries, I feel deeply honored to witness the
formation within this honorable institution of a body that will help foster
even deeper and closer relations between our countries and peoples.
Symbolized
by the warm and friendly relationship established between Presidents Abdelaziz Bouteflika and George
W. Bush, relations between Algeria and the United States have entered a new and dynamic phase and are
stronger than they have ever been. Today, our two countries enjoy
increasingly close relations and consult with one another on a broad range of
regional and international issues. In the area of the fight against
terrorism, Algeria is a strong and reliable ally of the United States. Our strategic dialogue is experiencing tremendous
developments characterized by close and promising cooperation. In the
economic area, the increase registered over the past five years in the volume
of exchange augurs very well for both our countries.
Our
very healthy and strong cooperation can contribute greatly to the promotion
of a long-term strategic partnership between Algeria and the United States. In this respect, I am confident that the Algeria
Caucus will play multiple leading roles in advancing that cooperation even
further. Not only will it be a bridge between our peoples and promote better
understanding of our respective societies and cultures, the Algeria Caucus
will also help to energize and channel local opportunities to foster an even
greater level of exchanges, commerce and prosperity between individual US
states and Algerian local communities. By encouraging local involvement and
participation, it will help take cooperation between our countries to a
higher level and thus reinforce the global ties between Algeria and the United States of America.
I
wish to express once again to all of you my thanks and gratitude for your
support and engagement for the promotion of stronger relations between our
two countries and peoples.
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