President Tebboune received with much warmth, hospitality at Portugalese parliament’s headquarters
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- The President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune paid a state visit to the headquarters of the Portugalese parliament in Lisbon, where he was received with much warmth and hospitality. His visit marked an important step in the development of bilateral ties between Algeria and Portugal.
President Tebboune was greeted at the parliament by members of the Portugalese government, including the Speaker of the Parliament Mr. Augusto Santos Silva. The ceremony was also attended by various high-ranking officials and members of the diplomatic community.
State visit of President Tebboune to Portugal, a resounding success, take a look!
The state visit of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Portugal marked a significant milestone in the partnership and cooperation between the two nations. The visit culminated in the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding, which underscored the shared vision and long-standing relationship between Algeria and Portugal.
Accompanied by a high-level delegation, President Tebboune presided over the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding in the field of digital governance and modernization of administration, a cultural exchange program for the period 2023-2025, a declaration of intent on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, and a memorandum of understanding relating to start-ups and innovation. These agreements reflect the commitment of both countries to foster economic growth and development through collaboration and partnership.
In his address at the economic forum, President Tebboune emphasized the investment opportunities available in Algeria, particularly within the framework of the new investment law. This law provides foreign investors with protection and guarantees the stability of the legal framework governing the sector. The forum aimed to bring together investors from both countries to explore opportunities for cooperation and partnership and to boost bilateral economic cooperation.
On this occasion, the President invited businessmen from both countries to explore ways to strengthen the economic partnership between them. The goal is to create a common economic future that aligns with the high quality of political and human relations between Algeria and Portugal. Mr. Tebboune emphasized that the Portuguese are fully aware of the business climate in Algeria and are calmly conducting their activities in the country. He also highlighted the positive results of the Algerian economy, which saw non-hydrocarbon exports rise to over seven billion USD last year, with the objective of reaching 13 billion USD in the future.
During his visit, the President of the Republic also visited the headquarters of the Portuguese Parliament, where he was warmly welcomed by the President of this legislative institution, Mr. Augusto Santos Silva. The day before, during a dinner given in his honor by the President of the Portuguese Republic, Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President Tebboune announced that he had agreed with his counterpart to make 2023 a pivotal year for the revival of major bilateral meetings. This includes the 2nd Bilateral Summit scheduled for the second half of this year as part of the follow-up to the results of the Joint Working Group on Economic Cooperation held in Algiers on May 15 and 16, 2023.
The President of the Republic has expressed his unwavering conviction in the promising prospects that can be harnessed to establish a robust partnership. During his meetings with the Portuguese President, he emphasized the depth of the strategic relations between the two countries and the “total convergence” of views on regional and international issues. These issues include the situation in Libya, Mali, the Sahel, Western Sahara, Palestine, and Ukraine.
In reference to Algerian-Portuguese relations, the President of the Republic expressed Algeria’s desire to intensify and expand them in all areas. He also highlighted Algeria’s ongoing efforts to build a genuine democracy that benefits its people and fosters an economy based on intelligence, knowledge, and start-ups. The President reiterated Algeria’s commitment to the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborhood, and Cooperation signed between the two countries in 2005. He also reminded everyone that the two countries will soon celebrate the 210th anniversary of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the Regency of Algiers and the Kingdom of Portugal.
The Portuguese President, in turn, welcomed the strong relations between the two countries and praised Algeria’s historic role in strengthening democracy in his country. These statements reflect the mutual respect and admiration that both nations share for each other. It is clear that both leaders are committed to building a strong and lasting partnership that will benefit their respective countries and the wider international community.
In this vein, President Tebboune emphasized the importance of promoting bilateral cooperation at the highest level. Specifically, he highlighted the areas of diplomatic, security, and economic cooperation, including renewable energies, tourism, and higher education. President de Sousa echoed this sentiment and reaffirmed Portugal’s unwavering stance on the Western Sahara issue, expressing support for the United Nations’ efforts and decisions on the matter.
On the first day of his visit, President Tebboune met with representatives of the Algerian community residing in Portugal. During this meeting, he reiterated the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens abroad and addressing their concerns regarding Algerian skills and their contributions to the country’s development. The President also outlined various measures aimed at supporting the diaspora, such as reduced flight prices, access to retirement benefits through the National Pensions Fund (CNR), and other initiatives designed to alleviate the challenges of living far from home.
It is clear that both Algeria and Portugal are committed to strengthening their economic partnership and building a prosperous future together. The president’s visit and the agreements reached during his stay are testaments to the strong political and human relations between the two countries. As we look towards the future, we can be confident that this partnership will continue to grow and thrive, bringing benefits to both nations and their people.
The state visit of President Tebboune to Portugal was a resounding success, highlighting the potential for a common economic future between Algeria and Portugal.
