Boutaflika, Vedrine meet in Algeria

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minister Smail Hamdani held separate meetings today with visiting French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine.

Vedrine, who is wrapping up a two-day visit to Algeria said in a predeparture statement, "Algeria is a major strategic partner for France. Our relations are destined to be substantive and fruitful for both our countries, on a basis of mutual respect. They can become serene; they will never be dull."

He characterized the current juncture as offering a "new, very promising, situation" for bilateral ties.

The Algerian News Agency said Vedrine's talks with Hamdani dealt with bilateral relations and ways of reviving cooperation between the two countries. No details were given on the content of Vedrine's meeting with Bouteflika.