President Zuma concludes Algeria visit

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has concluded his state visit to Algeria, which saw the signing of a number of MOUs, the Presidency said on Wednesday.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations and bilateral cooperation on the sidelines of the 6th South Africa-Algeria Bi-national Commission (BNC).

In-depth discussions between President Zuma and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika were held on strengthening the implementation of existing and new agreements.

The two Presidents resolved that a committee will be established to regularly review and report on the implementation of these agreements.

President Zuma announced that a South Africa-Algeria Joint Committee on Trade and Investment will be established to increase economic cooperation and create an enabling environment for South African and Algerian business to enhance trade and investment, including in the field of energy and infrastructure development.

"President Bouteflika and I have agreed on the need to ensure that our strong bilateral political relationship is translated into increased economic and trade relations.  There are tremendous opportunities for enhanced trade and investment relations,” said President Zuma.

The 6th session of the South Africa-Algeria BNC was convened to review the status of bilateral engagements and to seek ways to further strengthen these relations.

The Ministers that accompanied President Zuma on this visit -- Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Human Settlements; Telecommunications and Postal Services and the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry -- had engagements with their Algerian counterparts. 

During consultations, additional areas of cooperation were identified. These include higher education and training, public works and housing, space science and technologies, energy, mineral resources, ICT, transport, local government, labour, employment and social security, health and tourism. 

Talks between President Zuma and President Bouteflika also centred on a number of continental and global developments of mutual concern.

In addition to his engagement with President Bouteflika, President Zuma also met Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and the President of the National Council Abdelkader Bensalah. 

He also paid homage to the heroes of the Algerian revolution when he visited the Martyrs’ Memorial.

President Zuma will leave Algeria for a working visit to Egypt, where he will meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi for bilateral consultations tomorrow. - SAnews.gov.za