ALGIERS- President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune received, Thursday, in Algiers, the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Jose de Jesus Sojo Reyes, who paid him a farewell visit at the end of his mission in Algeria.
In a statement to the press after the hearing, the Venezuelan diplomat indicated that he had discussed with the President of the Republic several issues of common interest, indicating that the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, had invited President Tebboune to pay a visit to Caracas next year.
Recalling President Maduro’s last visit to Algeria, marked by the signing of several cooperation agreements, particularly in the field of oil and gas, the Venezuelan ambassador expressed both countries’ willingness to further expand their cooperation in the field of transport with the opening of a new air line between Algiers and Caracas.
He noted, in this regard, the “deep” friendly relations linking Algeria and Venezuela, affirming that the two countries share the “same vision” concerning several regional and international issues, citing, in particular, Western Sahara and Palestine.
Earlier this week, the National Independent Authority of Elections and the National Electoral Council of Venezuela signed a memorandum of understanding for mutual cooperation in the organization of the election process. This memorandum aims to exchange experiences and information in the organization of electoral processes, particularly in the technological field, in addition to smoothing relations between the bodies responsible for managing elections in both countries.
Under this memorandum, a joint commission will be created composed of members of the two bodies who will be appointed by common agreement. The commission will be responsible for defining and evaluating the priority areas of cooperation in the technical activity sectors relating to the electoral process in addition to the implementation of programs and activities agreed by the two parties.
Sneak peek into Algeria, Venezuela relations
Venezuela and Algeria enjoy constructive relations with bilateral cooperation further increasing. The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Algeria celebrated on March 24, 2021 the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Venezuela and Algeria, with the placement of a wreath before the bust of the Father of the Homeland, the Liberator Simón Bolívar, in the popular district of Algiers.
In his speech on this special day, Ambassador José de Jesús Sojo Reyes explained the various milestones of the bilateral relationship, highlighting that the friendship between Venezuela and Algeria, based on principles, has allowed over the years to advance in different areas of cooperation, such as energy, communication, transport and culture, with many coincidences in international forums, such as OPEC, Movement of Non-Alienated Countries and in cooperation between South America and Africa, thus reiterating what was expressed by the Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza on the existence of a positive balance in these 50 years of bilateral relationship, according to the Embassy’s communiqué.
“Principles of friendship, cooperation, solidarity and mutual respect; common values in matters of independence, sovereignty, the right to self-determination of peoples, the rejection of foreign interference. We both love freedom and have made great efforts to contribute to peace and freedom on our continents. It is noteworthy that these relations were greatly strengthened after the arrival to power of President Hugo Chávez and have continued to be strengthened during the years of government of our current President Nicolás Maduro.”
The development of official visits at the presidential level; of foreign and other ministers, Summits of Heads of State held in both capitals, such as the First OPEC Summit in Algiers (1975) and the Second OPEC Summit (2000), as well as the II ASA Summit, in Porlamar (2009) ; the exchange of technical, artistic and cultural delegations. The agreements reached in areas of bilateral interest such as energy, transport, communications, culture and trade, among others, are elements that show a positive balance in the development of 50 years of bilateral relations between Venezuela and Algeria, with prospects of continuing to deepen.
The “Algeria-Venezuela” parliamentary friendship group was set up, in February, at the headquarters of the People’s National Assembly (APN), with the objectives of promoting all-out cooperation and further deepening dialogue between the two parliamentary institutions.
Last June, the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Mr. Nicolas Maduro paid a two-day working and friendship visit, during which he had fruitful talks with the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
In this vein, Algeria and Venezuela noted a convergence of views on the various international issues of common interest, particularly with regard to the Palestinian and Sahrawi causes, as well as the situation in Libya.
