The discussion focused on expanding bilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation.
Grigory Karasin, Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria Smail Benamara.
Grigory Karasin expressed satisfaction with the current level of Russian-Algerian dialogue and the full agenda of bilateral cooperation. “This year, we will be marking the 60th anniversary of Algeria’s independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries.”
Russia and Algeria advocate efforts to strengthen the polycentric system of international relations, while retaining the central role of the UN, the Senator noted. “We value Algeria’s well-thought-out and principled position on the Ukrainian crisis,” he said.
He noted the important role of inter-parliamentary ties in bilateral relations. “It is important to strengthen it.”
Smail Benamara spoke highly of bilateral relations, which have a long history. “The people of Algeria remember Soviet assistance and support during the years of the liberation struggle. The Soviet Union and Russia made a substantial contribution to training thousands of civilian and military Algerian specialists.”
The Ambassador of Algeria noted that the country’s position regarding the situation in Ukraine remained unchanged. “Algeria has never voted for anti-Russia resolutions.” Smail Benamara also recalled that the presidents and foreign ministers of the two countries were communicating on a regular basis. The heads of state have also spoken by phone, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov paid an official visit to Algeria in May 2022.
Grigory Karasin and Smail Benamara discussed the development of bilateral relations, including those between national parliaments.
Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Yury Valyayev, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Defence and Security and Head of the Group for Cooperation with the Council of the Nation of the Parliament of Algeria, attended the meeting.