Safadi, Algerian FM talk ways to strengthen ties

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday held wide-ranging talks with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra. 

The pair discussed ways to strengthen relations between the countries in a range of different sectors, including education, the economy, tourism, education and pharmaceuticals.

The ministers also examined steps to put into effect previous agreements between the countries, including a 1997 bilateral free trade deal and the medical agreement, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The pair added that they look forward to the Jordanian-Algerian commission meeting taking place later this year. In preparation for the event, they noted that there will need to be a number of meetings between Algerian and Jordanian government officials and private sector representatives, with the goal of increasing cooperation, investment and trade in addition to encouraging tourism between the countries.

Regional issues were also raised during the meeting, with a particular focus on the Palestinian cause. The ministers discussed efforts to find a real solution for the conflict on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative. Safadi and Lamamra also addressed efforts to solve other prominent crises in the Arab world, including those in Syria, Libya, and Yemen.

Lamamra also emphasised the strong relations between the countries and touched on Algeria’s preparations in hosting the upcoming Arab summit.