Chirac starts a historical visit to Algeria
Algeria-France, Politics, 3/3/2003

The French President Jacque Chirac yesterday started an official visit to Algeria for three days which is the first of its kind since Algeria's independence from the French occupation in 1962. Chirac worked in the French occupation army during the Algerian revolution years between 1954- 1962.

The French President will hold talks with his Algerian counterpart Abdul Aziz Butaflika and will address the parliament today and on Tuesday will head for the city of Wahran to deliver a speech addressed to the Algerian Youths in al-Senyah University.

Chirac is expected during his visit to sign with his Algerian counterpart Butaflika a common policy declaration that defines the partnership between the two countries.

The spokeswoman for the French Presidency said that this partnership is based on four axes which are the regular political dialogue; strengthening bilateral cooperation in the service of reforms in Algeria, establishing deepened economic relations and improving the conditions of peoples exchange.

The Algerian capital was abundant with French and Algerian flags and banners of welcome were installed and many buildings were repainted celebrating the French guest.

Before his visit, the French President expressed in an interview with the Algerian TV on Saturday evening his hope to establish solid relations between the two countries similar to French- German relations of interests.

However, the historical visit of the French President signifies a new breakthrough in the relations between Algeria and France and confirms returning back to good relations between them following great ups and downs since the independence of Algeria.

In an interview issued on Saturday by the two Algerian dailies al-Khabar and al-Watan, the French president, who is accompanied by a large delegation including five ministers including the foreign minister Dominique de Villepin said that his visit to Algeria will officially confirm France's commitment to build strong and calm relations of confidentiality with Algeria.

Previous Stories:
  La Tribune: Balkhadem stresses strategic relations with France   (2/28/2003)
  Butaflika calls on Algerians for success of Chirac's next visit to Algiers   (2/22/2003)
  Body of Algerian parliamentarian found in Paris   (1/30/2003)

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