Algerian Ambassador in Damascus: We are Keen on Cooperation with Syria in Combating Terrorism
DAMASCUS, (ST)- From the very beginning of the crisis in Syria, Algeria has adopted firm stances supporting the Syrian people and rejecting all politicized decisions which targeted Syria’s sovereignty and aimed at interfering in its internal affairs.
Algeria, the country of the million and a half martyrs, has maintained its diplomatic ties with Syria through its embassy in Damascus though many other Arab countries have adopted an opposite stance towards Syria.
In a statement to SANA marking the 61st anniversary of the Algerian Liberation Revolution against the French Colonialism, the Algerian Ambassador in Damascus; Saleh Bosha said “from the very beginning of the crisis in Syria, Algeria’s stance was firm and clear. It has supported Syria’s unity and voiced solidarity with Syrian people in their ordeal.”
Bosha believed that the war on Syria aimed to weaken the country, undermine its key role in the region and force it to abandon its national stances, because “weakening Syria means the weakening of the entire region”.
“Algeria has rejected all the Arab League’s decisions that called for the postponement of Syria’s AL membership and that targeted Syria’s sovereignty and aimed at interfering in the country’s internal affairs,” Bosha said.
He stressed the importance of finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria, clarifying that Algeria has spared no diplomatic effort to contribute to attaining the hoped-for political settlement. He noted that in the 1990s, his country was exposed to a similar crisis which aimed at destabilizing Algeria through terrorist acts.
Bosha warned against the terrorism threatening the region and called for drying up terrorism resources and for using all possible tools that may help in eliminating this cancer-like plague.
“Current efforts are not enough. We need more political, technical and logistic cooperation among all countries to fight terrorism,” Bosha said, pointing out that Algeria has been keen on coordination and cooperation with Syria in this respect.
Regarding the Syrians in Algeria, Bosha said “the number of the Syrians in Algeria increased to reach some 50 thousand under the current crisis in their country. They enjoy full care and respect, as they are in their second homeland.”
He referred to the active participation of the Syrian community in Algeria, pointing out that the number of Syrians registered in the Algerian chamber of Commerce reached 1300 in 2014, and that more than 30 building companies are being run by Syrian businessmen.
The Ambassador asserted the importance of celebrating the anniversary of Algeria’s November Revolution which “restored the country’s sovereignty and dignity and enhanced the values of resistance.” He affirmed that “Syria backed the Algerian revolution and provided all forms of political and technical support as well as humanitarian assistance. Syria also contributed to building Algeria in the early years of independence and adopted pro-Algerian state stances at international and regional forums.”
The relation between Algeria and Syria has got its strength from their historical ties and their identical stances in confrontation of a common enemy called terrorism. Both countries have reiterated the need for international cooperation to combat and eradicate terrorism which poses a growing threat to the region.
In 2015, Syria and Algeria held several meetings to boost cooperation in the areas of economy, foreign trade, oil and mineral resources, higher education and ability building.
Hamda Mustafa