Algerian ambassador considers relations historical

Luanda, Luanda – The Algerian ambassador to Angola, Kamel Boughaba, said Sunday in Luanda that the relations between the two countries are “long lasting and traditional” and backdate to the liberation struggles of the two countries. Kamel Boughaba was speaking to Angop during the opening on the premises of the Embassy of a ballot box for Algerians resident in Angola to vote in the general elections going until 10 May 2012 in his country. The diplomat said on the occasion that the relations between the two countries are the result of the ties of brotherhood between the peoples of Algeria and Angola. “Those are very deep ties forged long before the independence of Algeria in 1962,” said the ambassador. The diplomat recalled that some Angolans who were involved in the liberation struggle against the Portuguese colonialism trained in Algerian National Liberation Army camps.  According to him, this solidarity is historical and consistent, keeping the high level political relations existing between the two countries. He sated that his country continues training Angolans who travel to Algeria to further their education. The ambassador also mentioned the relations existing between the Algerian Oil Institute and the National Oil Institute of Sumbe, in Angola’s central Kwanza Sul province.  Kamel Boughaba added that the relations between the two oil institutions backdate to creation of the Angola Oil Company (SONANGOL), as Algeria has all along made a contribution to the training of Angolan personnel. He mentioned that other areas for future cooperation were agreed upon during the latest Algeria-Angola Joint Commission session held in July 2011, in Alger. The diplomat also stated that Algeria wants to have cooperation with Angola expanded to the fields of national defence, trade, health, scientific research, culture, youth and sports and others.