Question: Mr President, can you please tell us about the outcomes of your talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika? Given that this is your first visit to Algeria, what is your opinion about this country, what are your impressions?
President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev: First of all, I would like to thank President Bouteflika for the invitation and opportunity to visit Algeria. Unfortunately, this visit is short, but that does not make it any less intense. I will not have a chance to see the Sahara Desert today, although that would have been very interesting.
As for the official part of the visit, it was very important and very intense, and fully reflects the strategic nature of the relations between our nations.
Algeria is the first nation in the Arab World with which we signed a corresponding Agreement on Strategic Partnership.
In the last ten years, we have had four summits at the highest level. This means that contacts are developing at all levels, and naturally, we are exchanging delegations, and holding meetings between ministers and parliamentary representatives. Business life is also characterised by active, constant contacts.
Today, we signed six documents, but our cooperation is not limited to these areas alone. We have agreed that we will also step up our industrial cooperation, and we will look into investment projects in a variety of areas and sectors.
Our cooperation has recovered after the crisis period, and this year, the turnover is already quite significant. I am certain that it will continue to grow in the future. But also I hope that a whole set of new projects will be added to it, which Mr President and I discussed today.
And naturally, we will continue our cooperation in foreign policy, which is very productive and deep. Mr President and I spent quite a bit of time discussing the foreign policy agenda, addressing regional issues, matters of security, and joint responses to the most challenging threats our nations face, including the fight against terrorism and the need to strengthen cooperation in the Middle East peace process.
As for my stay in Algeria, it is still underway, so I hope that I will have a chance to see some more sights, at the very least from the car window.
Question: Algeria is Russia’s long-standing partner in the military technical sector. What agreements were reached during today’s talks in this area, and what prospects do you see ahead?
Dmitry Medvedev: Foreign collaboration in the area of military technical cooperation is always a political and very trusting kind of collaboration, and that is precisely the kind of cooperation that exists between the Russian Federation and Algeria. It has been going on now for many decades and has led to some very good exchanges, and we are satisfied with the way it is developing.
Today, Mr President and I discussed this matter and outlined a number of areas where we could make additional efforts, including the area of technology.
But overall, as far as military technical cooperation is concerned, this cooperation is truly well-developed and is increasing. The pace of development set some time ago is maintained, and we are very pleased.
Thank you.