Remarks With Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem Upon Arrival in Algeria

2003/

SECRETARY POWELL: It is a great pleasure for me to be in Algeria and to have the opportunity to meet my colleague again, and also with President Bouteflika. The relationship between the United States and Algeria has been improving in so many ways in recent years. They have cooperated on the war against terrorism, and have begun to evolve with respect to economic cooperation. We look forward to Algeria’s accession to the World Trade Organization. We would like to begin discussions next year on trade and investment framework agreement. And I would like to personally thank the Foreign Minister for having invited me here, and I look forward to my conversations with President Bouteflika.