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Iranian defense minister wraps up visit to Algeria

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Algiers, April 4, IRNA
Defense-Iran-Algeria
Iran's Defense Minister Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani left here for home Monday at the end of a three-day official visit to Algeria.

Algerian Interior Minister Nourredine Yazid Zerhouni and several high-ranking military officials were on hand at the capital's airport to see him off.

Speaking to IRNA reporter before leaving Algiers, Shamkhani described the outcome of his visit to 'the brotherly country of Algeria' as positive.

"We held good negotiations and the two sides stressed
continuation of exchanging expert delegations and expanding relations," he said.

Shamkhani arrived in the Algerian capital on Saturday morning at the invitation of President Bouteflika who is also the country's defense minister.

During his stay, the Iranian minister conferred with several Algerian officials, including President Bouteflika, Interior Minister Zerhouni, as well as Parliament Speaker Abdel Kader Bin Salih and Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia.

In his meeting with Algerian Army Chief of Staff General Ahmed Qaed Saleh, Shamkhani stressed that 'Iran's defense capacities have created a very suitable ground for exchange of military and technical capabilities'.

The Iranian defense minister also announced the two countries' readiness to upgrade defense cooperation to an 'acceptable level'.

The visit culminated in the conclusion of of memorandum of understanding for mutual cooperation.

During the meeting between Shamkhani and Bouteflika, the two sides stressed the significance of strengthening bilateral relations in various fields.

The Iranian minister, holding his first round of talks with Algerian Interior Minister Nourredine Yazid Zerhouni, cited further cooperation among Islamic states in the fields of defense and security as key to restoration of peace and stability.

Shamkhani said diplomatic relations between Tehran and Algiers in economic, political and cultural fields are at an 'acceptable level' which, in turn, have led to further bolstering of military and defense cooperation.

Shamkhani also denounced double standards adopted by the world arrogance towards such issues as terrorism, nuclear energy and human rights which, he said, have escalated security crises in the world.

The Iranian minister stressed that cooperation and convergence among world countries is key to safeguarding security across the world.

Zerhouni described Shamkhani's visit to Algeria as a turning point in defense relations between Tehran and Algiers.

He stressed the Algerian president's determination to upgrade bilateral ties with Iran, particularly in the defense field.

The Algerian minister also highlighted the cultural, historical and ideological affinities which drive the two Muslim countries to boost their defense relations.

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::IRNA No.051 04/04/2005 17:25 --End