Algeria, South Africa keen on setting up strategic partnership

Algeria and South Africa on Tuesday held their 6th Higher Bilateral Commission of Cooperation to work on strategic partnership to boost bilateral ties.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, who co-chaired the commission with his South African counterpart Maite Nkoana Mashabane, said the two countries "are determined to establish a strategic partnership to meet the aspirations of their peoples."
The commission is being held as part of South African President Jacob Zuma's visit, who began a three day visit to Algiers Monday.
Lamamra hailed "the excellent political relations between the two countries," saying Algeria and South Africa are bound by history and shared values, adding that the two African nations are "equipped with human and natural resources, to head together towards a prosperous future."
He further specified that the 6th Algerian-South African High Bilateral Commission of Cooperation, represents an opportunity to identify means of boosting bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic sector.
The minister said that meetings are scheduled between the ministers of the two nations in the trade sector, industry, TIC, agriculture and housing, in a bid to identify specific projects towards establishing their strategic partnership.
Maite Nkoana Mashabane, South African Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, expressed her country's willingness to boost cooperation with Algeria in various sectors, saying "We are here to strengthen ties between the two countries through signing cooperation agreements."
Mashabane added that existing agreements should be reviewed to render them practical in terms of implementation and profitability.
She concluded that the two nations must work harder on developing their economic partnership and raise their political relations level to "excellent."