FM Attaf talks with number of Arab, regional counterparts to boost Algerian diplomatic machinery
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, received, this Sunday, the Ambassador of Qatar to Algeria Mr. Abdulaziz Ali Al-Naama.
The two officials discussed the relations and partnership between Algeria and Qatar. The newly-appointed Minister received, two days ago, successively the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Nasser Abdullah Albussairy, and that of Turkey, Mrs. Mahinur Özdemir Gökta.
This hyperactivity of the head of Algerian diplomacy highlights the priority of the new minister to further strengthen Algerian relations with Arab countries, boost Algerian diplomatic machinery and establish the strategic role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the African region.
Since taking office, Mr. Attaf has received many phone calls from his counterparts in various countries, congratulating him on the confidence placed in him by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune. In order to advance joint actions and bilateral cooperation with many capitals, he has made a series of phone calls over the past 48 hours, with his Italian, Canadian, Tunisian, Iranian, Jordanian, Sudanese, Egyptian, Emirati, Libyan counterparts as well as the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and the American Under-Secretary of State Mrs. Wendy Sherman.
The Minister discussed with the American Under-Secretary of State Mrs. Wendy Sherman, and the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, Western Sahara issue as well as peace and security in Africa, while with Arab and Muslim counterparts, Mr. Attaf tackled the prospects for strengthening joint Arab action.
Moreover, the head of Algerian diplomacy inquired with Ahmed Aboul Gheit about the follow-up of the implementation of the decisions emanating from Algiers summit.
Ramtane Lamamra’s successor at the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad already led Algerian diplomacy for almost four years in the 1990s, precisely from January 1996 to December 1999. A graduate of the National School of Administration (ENA) in 1975, Mr. Attaf made his career in diplomacy.
He was Algeria’s ambassador to India, Yugoslavia and the United Kingdom. He also assumed the missions of a Secretary of State, in charge of African and Maghreb Affairs. In addition to mastering diplomatic issues, Ahmed Attaf is a connoisseur of international economic issues.
