Ukraine, Algeria aim to boost industry, education, tourism cooperation
"As part of a renewed vision for the development of Ukraine's relations with the continent of Africa, we have set ourselves the goal of opening up Algeria's opportunities for Ukrainian business," Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said during a telephone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria Sabri Boukadoum, the Ministry’s press service informs.
As Kuleba noted, it is unacceptable that active bilateral political contacts are not taking place with important countries in the region, in particular with Algeria which became Ukraine's second largest trading partner in Africa in 2019.
The parties agreed to hold a second round of political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Algeria next month, during which a wide range of bilateral issues will be discussed: from supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the international arena to developing cooperation in industry, education, and tourism.
"As part of political consultations, Ukraine and Algeria plan to sign an agreement on the establishment of a joint intergovernmental commission on bilateral cooperation as an effective tool to promote trade and investment, as well as to hold a business forum with leading Ukrainian and Algerian companies," the Ukrainian minister noted.
Dmytro Kuleba also invited Sabri Boukadoum to make a visit to Ukraine at a time convenient for him.
In 2019, the total volume of trade in goods and services between Ukraine and Algeria reached a record high $614.4 million. Algeria became the second largest trade partner of Ukraine in Africa.
Consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries have not been held since 1993, and the last visit at the level of foreign ministers took place in 2002.
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