Emir of Qatar on official visit in Algeria

 

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamed Ben Khalifa Al Thani, arrived in Algeria on Jan. 7 at the start of an official visit, at the invitation of the president.

Algeria's guest was greeted in the morning of his arrival by the president of the Republic, Mr. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, at the Presidency of the Republic. His visit to Algeria, the Qatari head of state said, reflects the "commitment" of the leaders of both countries to "concertation and exchange of views" on developments occurring in the Arab region and around the world. Pursuing, he added that his visit was also an opportunity to review the ways and means of further strengthening ties between the two countries.

During this visit eight agreements and memorandums of cooperation were signed covering various sectors, including maritime transport, oil and gas, and petrochemicals.

The two countries have also signed an agreement establishing an Algerian-Qatari partnership in the sector of steel industry relating to the Bellara, Jijel, plant. The agreement was signed in the presence of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Sheikh Hamed Ben Khalifa Al Thani.

The president of the Republic has also given a luncheon reception in honor of his guest.

The visit by the Emir of Qatar was an opportunity for the two countries to assess progress achieved in bilateral cooperation and consider ways and means to deepen and diversify ties between them through, namely, several partnership agreements relating to development projects. The visit enabled both countries' leaders to expand their concertation and exchange of views on Arab, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.