Algérie Presse Service (APS) – March 26, 2012
Development opportunities for Algerian-American cultural cooperation, notably in the area of heritage safeguarding, were on the agenda of the talks held between Minister of Culture Khalida Toumi and U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Kathleen Stephens.

The two sides have namely exchanged views on cultural projects jointly implemented by Algeria and the United States of America as well as on future projects and the requirements for speeding up their implementation.

History was also part of the discussions between Mrs. Toumi and Mrs. Stephens, who is on a three-day visit to Algeria since March 24.

“The Minister of Culture and I have discussed the heritage and the rich cultural patrimony that Algeria holds as well as the challenges raised by its protection and safeguarding. We have examined the ways and means to develop cooperation between our two countries in that area and I am convinced that we can work together in that direction,” said Mrs. Stephens, speaking to the media after her meeting with the Minister of Culture.

For her part, Minister Toumi said that her talks with U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Kathleen Stephens have also covered the history of Algeria in the 19th and 20th centuries because, she said, “to better understand the Algerian people of today, one needs to take into account the stages and experiences that they have gone through during that period of history.”

“We have talked about the history part of Algeria, with everything that the country has in common with the Arab world, but above all about its specificities and its own experiences,” added Mrs. Toumi.

The U.S. official has also held meetings with Minister of Youth and Sports Hachemi Djiar, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Rachid Haraoubia, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mourad Medelci.

Speaking to the press after her meeting with Mr. Medeclci, Mrs. Stephens said “we have discussed with the minister several points intended to strengthen cooperation and friendship between the two countries.”

“I have come to here to thank Algeria, and the minister for Foreign Affairs in particular, for the welcome given to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit here.”

In that respect, Mrs. Stephens announced that Mr. Medelci and Mrs. Clinton will “have the opportunity to meet again soon.”