ALGERIAN'S FOREIGN POLICY 

Lamamra: Algeria attaches special interest to Sino-African partnership

DAKAR-The Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ramtane Lamamra, highlighted the interest granted by Algeria to the partnership under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), calling China a "strategic" partner.

"Algeria attaches particular interest to the partnership under the Cooperation Forum with China, a friendly country and a strategic partner, and one of the first countries to have assisted African countries in their struggle against colonialism and develop the continent," said Lamamra in a speech at the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference in Dakar (Senegal).

Recalling the "strong historical ties between Algeria and China, which were tightened during the Glorious War of Liberation as Chinese friends provided us with political and military assistance," the FM said that "our partnership has developed in the aftermath of independence and has risen to a global strategic level in 2014."

According to the FM, this conference themed "Deepen China-Africa Partnership and Promote Sustainable Development to Build a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in the New Era" reflects "the solidarity and strong common willingness to boost long term Sino-African cooperation."

Sino-African cooperation, which has evolved rapidly in many areas since the establishment of the Forum in 2000, has set our partnership as an example to follow in international cooperation, continued the Minister who highlighted "the efforts of the Chinese authorities to finance projects in African countries.

Lamamra also expressed Algeria's satisfaction with the progress made in the implementation of the action program of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation 2019-2021, which has resulted in the promotion of cooperation between the two partners under the principles of loyalty, friendship and equality enshrined in the Joint Political Declaration of the third summit of our forum held in Beijing in September 2018.

"At a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has undermined the spirit of solidarity among countries and national egoism has increased, we appreciate and commend the solidarity China has shown towards our continent and the valuable assistance it has provided to several countries so that they better respond to the virus, including vaccines."