Algeria, France sign 9 cooperation agreements

Algeria and France signed nine cooperation agreements that covered many domains like energy and scientific research. The agreements also cover mechanical cooperation, fishing, pharmaceutical industry, construction and trade, and were signed during meetings of the joint supreme committee, co-chaired by Algerian and French Prime Ministers, Abdulmalek Sallal and Jean-Marc Ayrault respectively. "We have reached good results to boost cooperation between our countries," Sallal said in a statement after the signing ceremony. He said the two sides have carried out a comprehensive assessment of bilateral cooperation and future projects. "There will be deeper relations in order to add more flexibility to the Algerian-French relations. We are neighbors, and neither of Algeria nor France can change their location," he said. Sallal said Algeria sought to establish links with French universities. Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdulaziz Bouteflika held talks with Ayrault on bilateral relations and the developments in the Sahel region.