Attaf, Indonesian counterpart praise historical relations between two countries

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of  the diplomatic relations between Algeria and Indonesia, Attaf underscored the common historical heritage of the bilateral relations based on “deep-rooted brotherhood, mutual trust and ancestral solidarity,” in “continuation of Indonesia’s great support for the Algerian Revolution.”

In a statement to the press, the Minister said that Algeria is willing to work together to give new impetus to these long-standing relations, particularly in their economic, political and social dimensions.

Attaf further stressed that his discussion with the Indonesian counterpart resulted in the signing of two legal texts relating to diplomatic cooperation, through the cancellation of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports, as well as cooperation in energy and mining.

The two parties also agreed on concrete measures aimed at boosting and intensifying Algeria-Indonesia relations, particularly the activation of the bilateral cooperation mechanisms, through scheduling the second session of the Algerian-Indonesian Joint Commission and the fourth session of the Political Consultations Commission, as well as updating and expanding the legal framework in accordance with the two countries’ common aspirations for mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

“Bilateral negotiations are underway on 13 legal texts covering several fields, such as the cooperation in agriculture, fishing, infrastructure, veterinary health, youth and sports, higher education and scientific research,” the Minister said.

As for promoting direct investments and developing bilateral trade, the Ministers stressed the importance of setting up a joint business council and scaling up economic events that highlight cooperation, partnership and investment opportunities offered by the two countries.

The two ministers agreed also to preserve and deepen the privileged character of the Algerian-Indonesian political relations through the exchange of official visits at all levels and the strengthening of bilateral consultations and dialogue in various organizations of which the two countries are members, notably the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Group 77+China, in addition to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with which, he said, “Algeria is working to build close relations, as part of the new orientation of the President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the country’s foreign policy.

In this regard, he said that Algeria has made an official request to join ASEAN’s Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

For her part, the Indonesian minister of Foreign Affairs welcomed the relations binding the two countries, underlining that the two sides will continue to work for their strengthening and promotion in the fields of common interest.

She affirmed that her country is willing to strengthen its investments in Algeria.

As regards the developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, the two ministers emphasized the necessity of continuing and intensifying the efforts to lead the Security Council to assume its responsibilities by protecting the Palestinian people, by holding the Zionist occupation accountable for its crimes in the Gaza Strip and by speeding up the establishment of an independent Palestinian State to put an end to the conflict.

In this respect, the Indonesian minister underlined the convergence of positions between Algeria and Indonesia on the condemnation of the Zionist aggression against Palestine and the colonization campaign conducted by the occupation in the occupied Palestinian territories, and the calling for an immediate cease-fire as well as the entry of humanitarian aid, expressing her conviction that Algeria, during its term as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, “will spare no effort to defend the Palestinian cause.”