Iranian defense minister holds first round of talks in Algeria
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Algiers, April 3, IRNA
Iran-Algeria-Minister
Visiting Iranian Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani discussed bilateral defense cooperation during the first round of his talks with Algerian Interior Minister Nourredine Yazid Zerhouni here on Saturday afternoon.
Shamkhani arrived in the Algerian capital on Saturday morning on a three-day official visit which is taking place at the invitation of the country's President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The minister noted that further cooperation among the Islamic states in the fields of defense and security was considered as the first step towards restoration of peace and stability throughout the world of Islam.
Stressing the need for further deepening of Tehran-Algiers cooperation in all fields, Shamkhani noted that the two capitals have currently enjoyed "acceptable level" of bilateral cooperation in the fields of economy, politics and culture which, in its turn, led to the promotion of their military and defense cooperation.
"Adopting discriminatory policies towards issues such as terrorism, nuclear energy and human rights will lead to
intensification of security crises," said the Iranian minister who, at the same time, stressed that cooperation and convergence among the world countries was the major cause to safeguard security worldwide.
Representing the Algerian president at the meeting with Shamkhani, Zerhouni said that the Iranian minister's visit to Algeria was a turning point at Tehran-Algiers relations.
Referring to the will of the Algerian president for promotion of bilateral ties with Iran, Zerhouni said that Algiers was ready to upgrade its defense relations with Tehran.
"Tehran-Algiers relations should be further developed due to the cultural, historical and ideological common points between the two countries," noted the Algerian minister.
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::IRNA No.010 03/04/2005 11:16 --End
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