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France's Hollande says ties with Algeria progress positively

Xinhua, June 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

Visiting French President Francois Hollande said on Monday the two nations have left the painful past behind them, and have made much progress in growing their bilateral relations.

During his hours-long visit to the country, Hollande held a meeting with his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

"I have had warm and substantial talks with President Bouteflika," said the French leader, adding that the two discussed a number of international issues of common interest, including the crisis in Mali and Libya and counter-terrorism in the Sahel region, as well as the recent deadly attack in Chad.

Hollande said he also discussed ways to boost bilateral ties in areas like economy, culture and the facilitation of visa delivery process, adding that the two countries share convergent views when it comes to maintain peace and stability in the region.

In a press conference following the meeting, the French president said the two nations' relations are remarkably and positively progressing, leaving behind them the "painful past."

Hollande also said the French automaker Peugeot "may" follow Renault, another French auto giant, which has already opened a car assembly unit in Algeria, by installing another assembly plant in the country.

The French leader also denied any presence of French troops in Libya, saying France did not took part in the raid against camps of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Libya.

In 2014, trade between the two Mediterranean nations exceeded 13 billion U.S. dollar, according to official figures. France is the third largest customer of Algeria with 6.74 billion dollar after Spain and Italy, and the second largest supplier of the North African nation. Endit