Algerian foreign minister arrives in Paris

Algerian Foreign Minister Youcef Yousfi arrived in Paris on Monday on board a private plane on an official visit to France at the invitation of French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine.

Yousfi will hold talks today with the French President Jacques Chirac, Prime Minister Lionel Jospin and Vedrine.

This visit, the first for an Algerian official at a ranking level since 1994, is expected to perpetuate closeness between Paris and Algiers that emerged following the election of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April 1999.

Besides political and economic relations, Yousfi is also expected to discuss with the French officials the visit to be made by President Bouteflika to Paris, expected to take place during the next three months.