Minister Abdelkader Messahel

Minister for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel underlined Friday in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Algeria's pioneer role in the defence of the interests of Africa, adding that President Bouteflika has initiated with some of his African counterparts a partnership programme for Africa's development, based on the priorities of the continent in various fields.
In a statement to the press on the sidelines of Africa-Turkey Summit, Messahel said that Algeria attaches great importance to the interests of Africa in its partnerships with foreign parties, adding that partnerships established today between Africa and China, Europe, Asia, France and the United States of America are part of a "new vision" of development in the continent.
"Africa's interests should be key priority within these partnerships," he said.
Among the continent's priorities, Messahel cited "basic infrastructures as well as peace, security and stability, which are necessary for the achievement of sustainable development, and for which we are working together with our partners to allow Africa fully fulfil its role."
The minister underlined that the strategy of the African partnership should be also based on cooperation, especially in technology transfer to the continent, training of human resources in the field, the fight against epidemics with the help of partners.
Meetings like Africa-Turkey Summit, which was attended by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, as representative of the President of the Republic, "constitute an opportunity to benefit from the experiences of foreign partners," said Messahel.
Africa seizes such opportunities to clarify its "vision and strategy," particularly in terms of ensuring funds for major projects, he added.