South Africa President starts visit to Algeria

South African President Jacob Zuma on Monday began a three-day state visit to Algeria at the invitation of President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Upon arrival at Houari Boumediene International Airport, President Zuma was greeted by Speaker of the Council of the Nation Abdelkader Bensalah, in the presence of Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and members of the Government.
This visit is meant to be “a new step in the strengthening of the traditional relations of friendship and solidarity that unite the Algerian and South African peoples since the time of the struggle against apartheid,” said the Presidency of the Republic in a statement.
The talks between the two leaders “will deepen the cooperation between Algeria and South Africa on regional and international issues of common interest, including peace and security in Africa, as well as the progress of NEPAD and African economic integration.”
President Zuma’s stay in Algiers “will also mark meeting of the sixth Algerian-South African high binational commission of cooperation, which will give new impetus to the multi-sectoral cooperation and the exchange between the two countries,” the statement said.