Algeria Hopes To Strengthen Ties With Russia Via Joint Projects - Deputy Prime Minister

Fakhir Rizvi Published March 19, 2019 | 04:07 PM

Algeria expects to strengthen its bilateral relations with Russia through large-scale projects in the future, Algerian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, said on Tuesday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th March, 2019) Algeria expects to strengthen its bilateral relations with Russia through large-scale projects in the future, Algerian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, said on Tuesday.

"It is well known that, in order to develop bilateral strategic relations and partnership, both parties should make maximum efforts. We have achieved a lot ... But no less ambitious, important, big projects are waiting for us, the implementation of which will allow us to further strengthen our strategic friendship," Lamamra said at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.

The Algerian deputy prime minister stressed his country was proud of its great relationship with Russia.

Lamamra's Russia visit comes amid mass anti-government protests in Algeria, which began on February 22, after the country's long-serving president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, announced his bid to run in the April election.

Earlier in March, Bouteflika postponed the elections and said he would not seek the fifth term in office. He proposed to set up "a national conference" that would oversee the transition of power, draft Algeria's new constitution and set the date for new elections. However, the protesters, dissatisfied with the president's concessions, continued their demonstrations and calls for his resignation.