ALGIERS – Monday, 13 November 2023 (APS) – Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, held on Monday talks with his Nicaraguan counterpart, Denis Moncada Colindres, who is on an official visit to Algeria since Sunday. The talks, according to Attaf were “constructive” and “fruitful.”
In a statement to the press at the end of the meeting, Attaf said that the visit marked the start of a new era in terms of bilateral relations, through the exchange of diplomatic representation and the opening of embassies by the two countries in Managua and Algiers.
In this regard, he welcomed the initiative of the Republic of Nicaragua, by choosing Algeria to host its first embassy in the whole African continent, saying that this “reflects the great trust our two countries and our two friendly peoples.”
Attaf furhter described the talks with his Nicaraguan counterpart as “constructive” and “fruitful.”
The talks “enabled us to reiterate our commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation on the basis of our shared historical heritage in the revolutionary liberation struggle, which is now reflected in our strong determination just causes, foremost among which the Palestinian and Sahrawi issues.”
In this sense, it was agreed to take a number of practical measures in order to give new impetus to cooperation relations in terms of economic and political cooperation between Algeria and Nicaragua, by activating bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission, set up in 2007, and the enrichment of the legal arsenal governing bilateral relations in various fields.
He also stressed the need to seize the opportunities offered to boost trade exchanges, strengthen consultation and political coordination between the two countries, while ensuring mutual support to international bodies and communities to which both countries belong.
The talks between the two parties further highlighted the shared views and positions of the two countries on international and regional issues, and their strong commitment to strengthening the Africa-Latin America partnership, added Attaf.
In addition, the two ministers discussed the deplorable situation of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, and specifically in the besieged Gaza Strip, and the diplomatic efforts being made to end Zionist aggression and to prosecute the occupier for these crimes before the competent international bodies, first and foremost the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On this subject, the FM stressed the need to “enable this brave people to achieve their legitimate national rights by establishing their independent State with Al Quds as its capital.”
During the meeting, the two ministers reiterated their countries’ unwavering solidarity with the Sahrawi people to enable them to exercise their right to self-determination and to end the occupation of these territories, the last colony in Africa, in accordance with the various relevant resolutions of the UN and the African Union (AU).
For his part, the Nicaraguan minister said that his country had “close” relations with Algeria, and that “the time has come for Algeria and Nicaragua to work together.”