Algérie Presse Service (APS) – December 5, 2011
The minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mourad Medelci, reaffirmed Algeria’s “responsible positions” on the ongoing transformations prevailing on the Arab and regional scenes.
Testifying before the Council of the Nation’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and the Algerian Community Abroad, Mr. Medelci made an “exhaustive” presentation on Algerian diplomacy in light of the changes occurring in the Arab world and the region, a statement released by the Council of the Nation said.
Mr. Medelci reaffirmed on that occasion the “responsible positions” adopted by Algeria and said those positions are “founded on principles that have guided Algerian diplomacy for decades, including support for just causes, non-interference in the domestic affairs of other states, and respect of peoples’ choices and will to determine their own future.”
Addressing relations between the Maghreb countries, Mr. Medelci spoke of the political and economic conditions “which in the past had hampered efforts by the countries’ leaderships to move the Union of the Arab Maghreb towards a better future.” However, added the minister, developments registered over the past few years “have laid a path for renewed efforts leading to greater involvement towards that end.”
With regards to the latest developments in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Syria, the minister refuted “allegations claiming that Algeria’s official position had remained on the sidelines of events.” Mr. Medelci reaffirmed Algeria’s positions, which “are perfectly consistent” and follow a gradual approach “to serve the supreme interests of Algeria and its strategic interests at the regional and Arab levels,” he said.
The minister, who announced that a delegation of Libyan high-level officials will make a visit to Algeria soon, said that cooperation with Libya was developing “towards building brotherly relations able to meet the aspirations of our two peoples based on a positive understanding of our positions.”
Moreover, Mr. Medelci stressed the necessity of considering with objectivity and realism the most appropriate solutions for the settlement of crises with a view to preserving the interest of peoples. “Such is the position of Algeria,” he said.
