Chinese, Algerian FMs meets on sidelines of UNGA

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Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on Saturday on the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York, the United States.

China and Algeria enjoy a deep and special friendship that remained unwavering in the face of a turbulent international situation, being able to make strides in combatting COVID-19, which bolstered the friendship between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

"China is ready to stand together with Algeria to pass on the traditional friendship and move along the path of development and revitalization to open up new prospects in bilateral relations," Wang added.

Lamamra, on the other hand, praised his country's ties with China, saying Algiers and Beijing were good friends with a high-level and strong, comprehensive partnership.

Both countries uphold common principles in international affairs and have common goals for national revitalization, Lamamara added.

Additionally, the Algerian foreign minister expressed his country's appreciation for China's support for Algiers in promoting its national strategy, as well as its willingness to expand and deepen its cooperation and communication in various fields with Algeria.

"Algeria highly appreciates the Global Development Initiative (GDI) put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, actively supports it, and has joined the Group of Friends of the GDI," Lamamra said. "[Algeria] looks forward to enhancing bilateral cooperation and consensus to achieve common development and prosperity."

Wang lauded Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, stressing that under their guidance, both nations maintained solid and mutual trust, as well as frequent and close bilateral contact and cooperation, which has over the years demonstrated the high level of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the meeting, Lamamra and Wang agreed to expedite negotiations to sign the five-year plan for China-Algeria comprehensive strategic cooperation, the plan for the Belt and Road cooperation, and the three-year plan for cooperation in major fields, among others, so as to revitalize joint cooperation between the two states.

A major statement made by Wang was his welcoming of Algeria to join the BRICS, the group of five emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, which is an alliance of growing influence in light of the shifting balance of power in the international arena.

Finally, the two foreign ministers agreed to bolster their unity, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard the principle of non-interference in foreign countries' internal affairs in order to promote international equity, equality, and justice.

A few months ago, during a meeting with Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chairman Wang Yang, Algerian Council of the Nation President Salah Goudjil commended the deep historical relationship that brought together the people of Algeria and China since the revolution, calling for more consultations and coordination between the two countries' governments and parliaments with the goal of "finding mechanisms that allow for overcoming the challenges posed by the change of the world order, outlining the perspective toward this system and everything that stems from it, and defining the concept of non-alignment in a way that preserves the political independence of states."

He also stressed the importance of China and Algeria cooperating on the level of the entire African continent on trade by establishing a trilateral cooperation agreement that allows for true economic independence that results in the bolstering of political independence.

Wang Yang, on the other hand, explained that his country was ready to support Algeria's efforts, led by President Tebboune, through enhancing and diversifying bilateral cooperation in a manner that serves the interests of both countries and helps toward accomplishing further achievements.

The Chinese official commended the Algerian President's decision to take 2022 as the year of economic prosperity and the measures taken by Algeriers that set the right environment for investments in the country.

China is ready to implement a five-year plan with Algeria with the goal of "diversifying and strengthening trade, economic, and scientific cooperation," Wang Yang noted.