A common will to strengthen Algerian-Austrian cooperation – Algerian dialogue

Algeria and Austria committed themselves, during their political consultations held in Vienna, to strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields of activities “in order to raise it to the level of the distinguished political relations existing between the two countries,” according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad.
The same source confirmed that the Algerian-Austrian political consultations were held on February 7, headed by the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, Ammar Blani, who is on a working visit to Vienna jointly with the Secretary-General of the Austrian Ministry for Europe and International Affairs, Peter Lowensky-Tiefental.
According to the statement, this session of political consultations “allowed us to address the reality of relations, and, by the way, a broad exchange of views on international and regional issues of common concern began.”
On the bilateral level, it was agreed to “strengthen cooperation in various fields of activity, especially transport, agriculture, vocational training, and Austrian direct investments in Algeria, with the aim of raising it to the level of the distinguished political relations existing between the two countries at a time when they celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.”
With regard to international issues, the two parties, who exchanged views on the recent developments of crises, especially those related to their immediate neighborhood (Ukraine, Western Sahara, Mali, Libya, the Sahel and the Middle East region), stressed the need to favor the peaceful settlement of differences and respect for international law, as has been done. It also touched on the stakes related to combating terrorism, disarmament, and the issue of immigration,” according to the source’s denial.
Blaney held talks with the diplomatic advisor to the Austrian Federal Chancellor, Barbara Kudel-Jansen, with whom he exchanged views on means of enhancing and diversifying the field of bilateral cooperation. The two sides also agreed to maintain high-level political contacts and continue dialogue on current international issues, the statement adds.
On the other hand, Blaney spoke with the head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for North Africa in the Austrian National Council, Nico Marchetti.
During this meeting, which allowed the officials to recall the complementary nature of parliamentary diplomacy, Ammar Blani informed the Austrian official of the upcoming installation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group “Algeria-Austria” within the framework of the 2021-2026 legislative session, according to the same source.
For his part, Mr. Marchetti expressed the will of the Friendship Group, which he heads, to “strengthen ties and exchange visits between the parliamentary institutions of the two countries. The need to strengthen spaces for dialogue was also emphasized in order to work on the peaceful settlement of disputes,” according to the statement.

Meeting with officials of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

On the other hand, Blaney spoke yesterday, Wednesday, with the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna and the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Ghada Wali.
The two sides stressed the effects of stakes related to combating terrorism, trafficking in arms and psychotropic substances, and human trafficking in Africa, especially in the Sahel region, on stability and security.
The meeting allowed the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to confirm the efforts undertaken by the public authorities in the field of combating corruption and recovering funds smuggled abroad, in accordance with the commitments made by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
For her part, the UN official expressed the “full readiness” of the office she runs to support Algeria, especially in efforts to combat corruption and drug trafficking by supporting the implementation of the national strategy in these areas.
The statement added that during Mr. Blaney’s visit to Vienna, he discussed on Wednesday with the Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Helga Schmid.
The two officials reviewed the organization’s approach and programs in the context of its relations with six partners from the Mediterranean region, including Algeria.
The source explained that the two sides “discussed their experience in facing multidimensional security challenges, especially in the Euro-Mediterranean region, especially those related to combating terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.”
In this regard, they highlighted the need for continued dialogue to settle the prevailing international crises.