Macut, Algerian PM discuss advancement of bilateral cooperation

ALGIERS - Serbian PM Djuro Macut met on Tuesday in Algiers with his Algerian counterpart Sifi Ghrieb, whom he thanked for Algeria's consistent position of not recognising the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo.

Ghrieb noted that his country remained firmly committed to the principle of non-interference in internal political affairs of other states and said it was one of the foundations of Algeria's foreign policy.

The parties agreed that bilateral trade was seeing slight growth and noted that there was significant space to advance it further, the Serbian government said in a statement.

Macut and Ghrieb agreed that cooperation needed to be stepped up and that they, as PMs, should be the ones to launch such an initiative.

They highlighted agriculture, transport, health care, energy, education and tourism as key areas for development of cooperation.

Ghrieb especially noted the significance of the respective geostrategic positions of the two countries, and said Algeria was the "great gateway to Africa", while Serbia had an important role as a hub in its part of Europe.

The parties agreed that opportunities for mutual investments and strengthening of economic ties needed to be assessed in a serious manner.

Macut is on a two-day official visit to Algeria.

Serbian, Algerian delegations meet in Algiers

ALGIERS - Serbian and Algerian government delegations headed by PMs Djuro Macut and Sifi Ghrieb met in Algiers on Tuesday.

Macut, who is on a two-day official visit to Algeria, was received by Ghrieb before the meeting.

The two PMs are due to sign several very important bilateral agreements to take the traditionally good bilateral cooperation to an even higher level.

Macut will also meet with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune later in the day.

Besides the PM, the Serbian delegation also includes Minister of Tourism and Youth Husein Memic and Minister without portfolio in charge of international economic cooperation and the social position of the Church in the country and abroad Nenad Popovic, who also chairs a Serbia-Algeria committee on cooperation.

While in Algeria, Macut will also visit a Serbian military cemetery in Dely Ibrahim, the final resting place of 324 Serbian soldiers who perished during WWI.