Algeria, Spain discuss political, economic, security cooperation

Algerian Minister for Maghreb Affairs, the African Union and the Arab League, Abdelkader Messahel and visiting Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ignacio Ybanez, vowed on Monday to boost bilateral cooperation in the political, security and economic fields.

"Relations with Algeria are excellent and strategic, as we intend to develop them further in all fields, given the existence of considerable potential in both countries," the visiting Spanish official told reporters after his meeting with his Algerian counterpart.

Ybanez said the counter terrorism cooperation issue has been discussed, saying "Algiers and Madrid have been already sharing close cooperation in this field, as they are looking forward to further developing it."

For his part, the Algerian diplomat reiterated the willingness of his country to work closer with its "great partner," particularly in terms of economic partnership and investment, hailing the presence of Spanish investors in Algeria as "key" in a bid to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Messahel said he discussed with his Spanish guest ways of developing partnership in various fields, including infrastructure, renewable energy, food processing, agriculture and tourism.

In terms of trade, Spain was the top customer of Algeria in 2015 with 6.56 billion U.S. dollars. The European country was also the fourth largest supplier of Algeria in 2015.

Arrived on Monday in Algeria for a two-day visit, the Spanish official met with several top officials, including Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal. Endit