Ahmadinejad praises Algeria’s support for Iran’s N-case

Visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad here Saturday praised Algeria’s stance on its support for Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities. Ahmadinejad, who is currently in Havana, Cuba, to attend the 14th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), met with his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika on the sidelines of the summit. Pointing to the two countries’ common stance on international issues, he stressed the importance of expanding mutual and international cooperation. The Iranian president hailed efforts adopted by Bouteflika to establish peace and stability in Algeria and preserve the country’s independence. “We hope the upcoming visit by Bouteflika to Tehran will prepare the ground for further promotion of relations between the two big and influential states in the region and the Islamic world,” Ahmadinejad said. The Algerian president stressed Iran’s right to have access to peaceful nuclear technology within frameworks of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He said most countries have well understood Iran’s rational stance on its peaceful nuclear case, adding the NAM summit was a symbolic coordination and support of different states for Iran’s stance. Bouteflika expressed hope the Group 15 developing states would be more active during Iran’s presidency. Presidency of the Group 15 was handed over to President Ahmadinejad during the NAM summit.