By: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Army General Saïd Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the National People’s Army, received, Monday at the headquarters of the National People’s Army, Mr. Nikolai Patrouchev, Secretary General of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, on a working visit to Algeria at the head of a large delegation, the Ministry of National Defense said in a press release.
During this audience, which was attended by the Secretary General of the Ministry of National Defense, the commanders of the Forces and the National Gendarmerie, the heads of departments and the central directors of the General Staff of the People’s National Army and the Ministry of National Defense, as well as members of the Russian delegation, the two parties discussed “the state of military cooperation between the armies of the two countries and the means of its strengthening and exchanged views on the various questions of common interest”, specified the same source.
On this occasion, the Army General delivered a speech at the beginning of which he welcomed Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, as well as the delegation accompanying him, expressing the wish that this visit “will be beneficial for both parties and at the height of the historical and strategic relations that bind the two countries”.
“Allow me to welcome you to the headquarters of the ANP General Staff, expressing the wish that your visit will be beneficial for both parties, especially since it represents, for us, the expression of the firm and frank will that drives the two countries to further strengthen the strategic and historic partnership that characterizes their bilateral relations, particularly in the field of military cooperation”, he said.
In addition, the Army General stressed that “the efforts made by the two countries to contribute to the establishment of lasting peace and development are in line with the principles that have contributed to the development of cooperative relations between the two parties”.
“These efforts in which Algeria and the Russian Federation are taking part for the establishment of lasting peace and development, with respect for the sovereignty of States, are in line with the immutable and historical principles that have contributed to the development of close bilateral cooperation relations, based on mutual trust and the common interests of the two countries”, added the General of the Army.
Mr. Nikolai Patrushev, who said he was “happy to be in Algeria”, on his part, underlined that “the historical relations between Algeria and Russia are deep and that his country is working to further strengthen them”.
In this wake, he praised the “pivotal role of Algeria and the great efforts deployed to establish peace and stability in the region”.
At the end of this meeting, the two parties exchanged symbolic gifts, concluded the ministry’s communiqué.
