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Minister Baird to Visit Algeria

September 14, 2013 - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will visit Algeria on September 15, 2013, for bilateral meetings with Abdelmalek Sellal, Algeria’s Prime Minister, and Ramtane Lamamra, recently appointed minister of foreign Affairs.

“Canada and Algeria have a strong bilateral relationship,” said Baird. “It is enhanced by the presence of a large number of Canadian companies working in Algeria and a vibrant and growing Algerian-Canadian community.”

Discussions will focus on regional security and counterterrorism, governance and human rights, and economic cooperation.

“Canada and Algeria have been strong partners in the Global Counterterrorism Forum as co-chairs of its Sahel working group,” said Baird. “Terrorism remains the great struggle of our generation, and it knows no states or boundaries.”

Recent developments in Egypt, Syria and Mali will also be topics of discussion for Baird while in Algiers.

While in Algeria, Baird will also meet with representatives of the Canadian business community and Algerian private and public enterprises to discuss opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation and increasing Canada’s market presence.

“There is significant potential for Canadian companies to intensify their activities in Algeria, particularly in the hydrocarbons sector,” Baird emphasized. “Our number one priority continues to be the economy and economic growth, and I’ll take this opportunity in Algeria to deepen an already successful economic relationship.”

Canada has a dynamic commercial relationship with Algeria, Africa’s fourth-largest economy and Canada’s 12th-largest bilateral trading partner.

This is Baird’s first official visit to Algeria and the first visit by a Canadian minister since January 2011.

To learn more about Canada’s relationship with Algeria, visit Canada-Algeria Relations.

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