1. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra at the Algerian Foreign Ministry on July 16. In their meeting, the top diplomats engaged in an extensive exchange of views on the Republic of Korea-Algeria relations across the board; ways to boost substantial cooperation in economy and development as well as on the international stage; and situations in diverse regions of the world. On the heels of their meeting, the Ministers held a joint press release for a briefing on the outcome of the meeting and a question-and-answer session.

2. [Assessment of the bilateral relations across the board]
Minister Lamamra, welcoming Minister Yun’s visit to Algeria, took note of the fact that the ROK-Algeria strategic partnership, forged in 2006, has been continuously moving forward by drawing upon their friendship and basic understanding of each other. Minister Yun called his visit to Algeria a special one as it came in the significant year marking the 25th anniversary of the ROK-Algeria diplomatic relations and, most importantly, provided an opportunity to further strengthen the ROK’s strategic partnership with Algeria, which plays a leading role for peace and stability in North Africa.

° Minister Lamamra, analogizing the advances in the ROK-Algeria relations to rapid advances in science and technology, noted with appreciation that the two countries built close cooperative ties over a short period of 25 years, which it takes centuries for other countries to do so. In addition, the Minister, pointing out strengthening cooperation on not only bilateral but also diverse global issues, noted that the two countries share hopes that the follow-up measures to the recent agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue will be implemented in a positive manner; that the UN, which marks its 70th anniversary of founding in 2015, will take the opportunity to reorganize itself in preparation for the next 70 years; and that progress will be made in addressing climate change and with regard to sustainable development goals.

° Minister Yun brought renewed attention to the complicated current global situation where interdependence and connectivity is deepening across the board, including economy, while various disputes and geopolitical conflicts are erupting. He assessed that the ROK and Algeria, which is mediating the Malian peace process and thereby playing a leading role for peace and security in North Africa, can be best cooperative partners on not only bilateral but also regional and global issues.

- In particular, the Minister attached significance to the relations between the ROK and Algeria, the ROK’s only strategic partner in Africa, as strengthening cooperative ties in not only economy but also, political dialogue, cultural exchanges and various other areas. In that light, he particularly underscored the need to upgrade to a higher level and diversify the bilateral economic cooperation to include high value-added sectors; boost cooperation between enterprises of the two countries; and increase exchanges between their peoples.

- In addition, Minister Yun voiced hopes that Minister Lamamra will visit the ROK in 2015; and that the director-general-level policy consultation and various other consultative mechanisms will be activated.

3. [Boosting substantial economic cooperation]
Minister Yun stressed that in order to boost economic cooperation in the long term, the two countries need to seek an agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders to facilitate more people-to-people exchanges; and need to make efforts to lay the institutional groundwork, such as a customs mutual assistance agreement and a social security agreement. In addition, the Minister spoke about Korean companies’ contribution to economic development in Algeria and their plan to contribute to stronger bilateral economic cooperation and job creation in Algeria through expanded joint investment and production with Algerian companies in the country. In that regard, he asked for Algeria’s continued attention to and support for Korean companies.

° Minister Lamamra pointed out that even before the establishment of the ROK-Algeria diplomatic relations, Korean companies had engaged in economic cooperation with Algeria by constructing hotels in the country and thereby had played a role in the forging of formal relations between the two countries. He went on to comment that the establishment of the bilateral strategic partnership less than 20 years after the forging of diplomatic relations clearly illustrates the great importance the two countries attach to each other and the great potential for expanded cooperation.

° Minister Yun, citing the great potential for cooperation between not only companies but also the governments of the two countries, particularly stressed the need to seek a memorandum of understanding calling for increased cooperation in healthcare, as well as cooperation in the El Harrach stream restoration project and the project to build an integrated dams operating system. The two Ministers agreed to strongly encourage the relevant government agencies of the two countries to work more closely in that regard.

° Minister Lamamra, emphasizing the importance of taking an action-oriented attitude, pointed out the need to convene the ROK-Algeria Joint Economic Committee as soon as possible. In response, Minister Yun proposed convening the Joint Economic Committee at an early date as well as the task force for economic cooperation before the Joint Economic Committee meeting, and setting up a business consultative mechanism for comprehensive consultations on the full range of pending issues and other matters of mutual concern. Furthermore, he mentioned the importance of boosting bilateral cooperation in such sectors as culture and education, including in sports.

4. [Development cooperation]
The two top diplomats noted with appreciation that in the field of development cooperation, the two countries have seen much progress from projects tailored to Algeria’s real demand and effectiveness.

° In addition, the two sides reaffirmed the symbolic significance of the CATICTA (African Center for Information & Communications Technology and Advanced Technology in Algeria) establishment project for bilateral cooperation and the need to carry it out as soon as possible.

5. [Cooperation on the international stage]
Minister Yun took note of close bilateral cooperation on the international stage.

6. [Assessment of regional situations]
Minister Yun, calling North Korea’s simultaneous pursuit of nuclear and economic development anachronistic, stated that the country should change its attitude. He went on to say that the North Korean nuclear issue should be resolved as soon as possible for stability not only in Northeast Asia but also of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

° Furthermore, citing the need for the international community to send a clear message to North Korea in response to this situation, the Minister asked for support of Algeria for the ROK government’s policy and position on North Korea.

° Minister Yun, bringing attention to the unstable transitional phenomenon in Northeast Asia demonstrated by the changes in power balance and the deepening conflicts surrounding historical and territorial issues, pointed out the importance of efforts to prevent such conflicts. In that regard, he asked for Algeria’s support and cooperation on the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative pursued by the ROK government.

7. On a side note, Minister Yun met with Korean businesses operating in Algeria later in the day. On the occasion, he extended appreciation to them for winning construction orders and making other achievements even in the not so favorable business environment; explained the ROK government’s plan to continue efforts to assist them, including increasing high-level officials’ visits to Algeria and taking such opportunities to ask the Algerian government to support Korean companies’ bids to expand their presence in the country; and learned about challenges facing local Korean companies.

8. Minister Yun also met with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal. During their two and a half-hour-long meeting, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on ways to enhance bilateral ties as well as the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East.


* unofficial translation