LOC21:44
18:44 GMT
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
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