Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Ataf spoke, Friday, in Budapest, with his Hungarian counterpart, Peter Sjärto, as the talks allowed for “complete agreement” between Algeria and Hungary on regional and international issues.
The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the talks between Ataf and his Hungarian counterpart provided “an opportunity to exchange views and analyzes on many issues, especially the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, the situation in the African Sahel, the crisis in Niger, and the issue of Western Sahara.”
Ataf revealed in a statement that he “informed Siarto about the efforts made by Algeria under the leadership of President Tebboune to contribute to calming the situation and giving priority to the logic of dialogue and negotiation to encourage peaceful solutions to crises, especially in Niger, Mali and Libya.”
The Algerian Foreign Minister indicated that “the issue of Western Sahara and the need to support the efforts made by the United Nations through the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General Staffan de Mistura” were discussed.
“To revive the political process in order to enable the two parties to the conflict to reach a just and lasting solution that guarantees the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination, in accordance with what is enshrined in international legitimacy,” the statement adds.
Hungary supports Algeria’s initiative to resolve the crisis in Niger
Hungary’s foreign minister affirmed that his country strongly supports Algeria’s efforts and initiative aimed at resolving the crisis in Niger and restoring constitutional order in this country.
“He also pointed out the importance of the regional dimension of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s initiative in that it highlights the need to address the problem of economic development in the Sahel,” according to the Foreign Ministry’s statement.
The President of Hungary will visit Algeria in the future
The head of Algerian diplomacy, Ahmed Attaf, revealed that Hungarian President Katalin Novak will visit Algeria in the future at the invitation of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Attaf stressed the importance of the visit that the President of Hungary will pay to Algeria, as he “stressed the necessity of optimal preparation for this important event in order to reach qualitative outcomes and results that inaugurate a new era in the history of Algerian-Hungarian relations.”
Cooperation with the Visegrad Group and the European Union.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf confirmed that he asked his Hungarian counterpart, Peter Szijjártó, “to facilitate Algeria’s attendance at a meeting of the Visegrad Group.”
“To inform it of the situation in the Sahel region and its efforts to spread security, stability, development and prosperity in this regional space,” according to the same statement.
For reference, “The Visegrad group includes four countries from Central Europe: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.”
For his part, “The Minister expressed his regret at the state of blockage and stagnation that the partnership relations between Algeria and the European Union have led to at the current stage.”
“We hope that Hungary will have a role and contribution to overcoming this situation that is harmful to the main interests of both parties, especially since Hungary will assume the rotating presidency of the European Union during the second semester of next year.”
Practical steps to enhance cooperation between Algeria and Hungary.
Minister Attaf confirmed that agreement had been reached on “a set of practical steps that would intensify communication at various official levels and among businessmen.”
And “activating various mechanisms of bilateral cooperation and working to raise the value of trade exchanges and inter-investments” between the two countries, according to the statement.
The minister also mentioned that there are many projects in “important areas such as traditional energies, renewable energies, training, security cooperation, agriculture, fishing and air transport.”
The Algerian Foreign Minister indicated that these projects “some are in the process of completion and some are under study.”
“In the same context, the Hungarian minister confirmed that his country wants to import Algerian gas, as part of its strategy aimed at diversifying its sources of financing.”
