ALGERIAN'S FOREIGN POLICY 

Algeria continues to play "key" role as Mali's strategic partner

ALGIERS- Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop welcomed Thursday, in Algiers, the "key" role still played by Algeria as a "strategic partner" of Mali.

"Algeria continues to play a key role as a strategic partner and ally of Mali. It is a country which has with Mali an inter-solidarity to accompany us, at our request, as part of the efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability," said Abdoulaye Diop after the audience granted to him by President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to whom he handed a message from Mali's Interim President Assimi Goïta.

"I would like to welcome the role played by Algeria at our side, discreetly, notably with my brother Ramtane Lamamra who has been the main player and architect of this process for which we asked for Algeria's support," he added.

When broaching the message handed to President Tebboune, the head of the Malian diplomacy said that it "comes within the framework of solidarity, friendship, fraternity and good neighborliness relations between Mali and Algeria."

It is mainly on the situation in Mali, notably the progress and difficulties relating to the transition process which was marked recently by the holding of the national conferences for the rebuilding, enabling the Malians to talk to one another, to share their visions for Mali and also to determine the stages and prospects."

For Diop, "Algeria, as a neighboring country, is more than concerned about what happens in Mali. It is in this regard that President Goita asked us to come and share with his older brother the messages and recommendations of these national conferences which aim at strengthening the democracy in Mali, as well as peace and stability."