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Algeria-EU ties not to affect Algeria-Russia bonds - Bouteflika

MOSCOW, Feb 19 (KUNA) -- Visiting Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said here Tuesday Algeria's desire to develop relations with the EU would not impede a strategic agreement with Russia.
Bouteflika was speaking during a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
The Algerian leaders stressed the importance of tackling and removing obstacles impeding the development of Algerian-Russian relations.
Algerian efforts to bolster relations with Moscow have nothing to do whatsoever with deeper ties between Algerian and the European Union, he added.
For his part, the Russian leader voiced hope that a free economic zone between Algeria and the EU would not affect Russian companies in Algeria.
Putin called on Algeria to provide a congenial atmosphere fore Russian companies working in Algeria, and to attach much attention to bilateral cooperation in the energy, military and technological domains.
He hailed Russia and Algeria as key gas exporters.
Meanwhile, the Russian Interfax news agency reported that both sides had signed a two-way flight deal. (end) as.mt KUNA 192144 Feb 08NNNN