Russia's Ivanov kicks off official visit to Algeria

20/07/2006

[File] Ivanov

Igor Ivanov, Russian secretary of the Federal Security Council and President Vladimir Putin's special envoy, started a two-day official visit to Algiers on Wednesday (19 July). "President Vladimir Putin assigned me to inform President Abdelaziz Bouteflika about the outcome of G8 summit, held in Russia's St Petersburg for the first time," he told the press upon his arrival.

Ivanov met Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem and Foreign Minister Mohammed Bedjaoui. Ivanov said they discussed "the … strategic partnership" between Algeria and Russia and international issues. The visit also aims at examining the implementation of the agreements signed during Putin's recent visit to Algeria. (APS, El Moudjahid)