Iran Press/ Iran News: Algerian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Ataf, was officilly recived by Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Saturday morning.
This Algerian official is scheduled to meet and consult with a number of other senior officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran during his trip to Tehran.
Iranian President to attend GECF Summit in Algeria in near future
Speaking at the joint press conference with his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Ataf, Iran's Foreign Minister Hoseein Amir-Abdollahian announced the cancellation of the visas for Iran-Algeria nationals as well as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's visit to Algeria to attend the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) Summit in the North African country.
According to Amir- Abdollahian, in the future, the meeting of the heads of GECF Summit will be held in Algeria.
Amir-Abdollahian also congratulated Ahmed Ataf on the anniversary of the Independence of Algeria.
Amir- Abdollahian added: "The relations between the two countries are on the right track. At the political level, we always have powerful discussions at the level of high-ranking officials and will continue the path."
"In today's talks, we agreed to act in principle to cancel political visas and then agree to cancel normal visas.", said the Iranian foreign minister.
Amir-Adollahain went on to say: "We also agree to hold the follow-up committee of the joint High Commission of the two countries. The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Algeria is held at the level of the first vice president of Iran and the prime minister of Algeria."
In the near future, we will organize a follow-up committee in the capitals of the two countries, the Iranian diplomat stated.
According to Amir-Abdollahian, Iran and Algeria have agreed that cooperation between the two countries should be accelerated in the fields of science and technology, development of knowledge-based companies, environment, new energy, agriculture, medicine, medical equipment and tourism, as well as industry and mining.
Amir- Abdollahian then stated: "We had very important discussions with my brother, the Algerian Foreign Minister, regarding regional issues."
Referring to the useful actions of Algeria in the region and Africa, especially regarding the developments in Sudan, Iran's foreign minister said: "Two days ago, I met with the foreign minister of Sudan in Baku, and we agreed to start diplomatic relations.One of the common concerns of Iran and Algeria was the crisis, ceasefire and diplomacy and dialogue in Sudan."
"I would like to emphasize that we are still trying to both neutralize and cancel the sanctions through the right path of diplomacy. We agree with our brothers in Algeria regarding international cooperation and common positions in international forums."
He also appreciated Algeria's mediation in the Iran-Iraq war from 1980 to August 1988.
Algeria's mediation in Iran-Iraq war
Iran said on July 24, 1982 that it would agree to mediation by Algeria in its war with Iraq but only ''as long as it functions in the direction of Tehran's terms for ending the war.''
Iran's then Prime Minister, Mir Hussein Moussavi, made the statement to the Teheran radio after meeting with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. There was no immediate reaction from Iraq to the Iranian announcement. Mr. Moussavi reported to Ayatollah Khomeini on the results of his talks with Algerian leaders during a visit to the North African nation the previous week, the Teheran radio said.
Condition for Ending War
As conditions for ending the 22-month war, Iran has been demanding the complete withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Iran, payment of $150 billion in war reparations and the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein of Iraq.
The then Iranian Prime Minister said the Algerian initiative was a continuation of efforts by Mr. Ben Yahia. ''I explained to our Algerian brothers that we cannot sit on our borders and simply plead for our rights,'' Mr. Moussavi was quoted as saying in an interview with the Teheran daily Kayhan. ''If the rights of our nation are not fulfilled, Saddam's regime will be overthrown by our Islamic combatants.''
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