By IRNA
Tehran : President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Monday stressed the need to enhance Tehran-Algiers relations referring to Algeria as an influential country in North Africa.
Speaking to reporters at the airport prior to his departure for Algiers, the president said: “The people of Algeria were pioneers of anti-arrogance and independence-seeking struggle.
“Algerians enjoy a common cultural link with the Islamic Revolution of Iran,” stressed the president who left here for Algeria Monday morning for a two-day official visit heading a high-ranking political and economic delegation.
Referring to Iran-Algeria political ties as “good,” President Ahmadinejad hoped that the two capitals would promote their bilateral economic cooperation as a result of agreements expected to be signed during his visit.
The visit is taking place at the official invitation of his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika with whom President Ahmadinejad is to discuss major regional and international developments.
The president is accompanied by Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Hossein Saffar Harandi and senior presidential advisor, Mojtaba Samareh Hashemi.
President Ahmadinejad added major issues of the Islamic world as well as Tehran-Algiers cooperation in the field of economic, banking, energy and technical and engineering activities were among main topics to be discussed in his talks with senior Algerian officials.
He expressed hope the visit would prepare the ground for increasing economic and cultural cooperation between the two capitals as well as their joint investments.