Bouteflika heads to Canda

The Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will pay a state visit to Ottawa from May 14 to 18, 2000 at the invitation of the general governor of Canada, Mrs Adrienne Clarkson, and the Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, APS reported.

This visit comes within the frame of consolidating and enlarging friendship and cooperation relations existing between the two countries an official statement said.

During his stay in Canada, Bouteflika will take part in the works of the 16th conference in Africa and the Middle East due in Montreal from the coming May 14 to 17.

Canadian Premier Jean Chretien affirmed on Wednesday in Ottawa that the coming visit of the President of the Algerian republic, OAU president in office, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, to Canada will offer an excellent opportunity to deepen the warm relations existing between the two countries.

"I am delighted about this first visit of President Bouteflika to Canada and we hope to work with Algeria for the advancement of its program of economic and social reform", Jean Chretien also affirmed putting a stress on the long tradition of cooperation uniting the two countries, APS reported.