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MINSK, 20 February (BelTA) – Belarus and Algeria intend to put together a cooperation roadmap. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the statement after meeting with his Algerian counterpart Abdelkader Messahel, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei thanked Abdelkader Messahel for finding time in his tight schedule to visit Belarus. It is worth noting that it is the first visit of the Algerian minister of foreign affairs, remarked Vladimir Makei.

“We attach great importance to cooperation with Algeria,” noted Vladimir Makei. In his words, Belarus and Algeria are connected by long-time friendly ties, which evolved long before the two countries established diplomatic relations. The ties date back to the USSR time when Belarusian specialists worked in Algeria and Algerian students went to Belarusian universities.

Vladimir Makei stressed that that day’s negotiations with the Algerian minister of foreign affairs had been very productive. In particular, the state and development prospects of Belarusian-Algerian cooperation in various fields were discussed starting with politics and ending with education.

Vladimir Makei pointed out that concrete steps for tighter Belarus-Algeria cooperation had been sketched out.

Belarusian-Algerian cooperation within the framework of international organizations was also an important matter during the talks. In particular, the sides stated the commonality of their views on the international agenda.

The first intergovernmental agreements were signed on 20 February. The agreements envisage the establishment of a joint commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation and the removal of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports. Vladimir Makei was convinced that the agreements would allow greatly bolstering the bilateral ties.