Iran sets no limits to ties promotion with Algeria: First VP

Iran’s First Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri says the Islamic Republic is fully prepared to improve relations with Algeria, stressing that Tehran sets no limitations to the expansion of ties with the North African country after the removal of sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program.

“After the removal of sanctions, Iran seeks to expand ties with different countries, particularly friendly states such as Algeria,” Jahangiri said in a meeting with visiting Algerian Minister of Energy Noureddine Bouterfa in Tehran on Saturday.

He added that Iranian authorities are determined to improve cooperation with Algeria in all sectors and noted that the exchange of visits between the two countries’ officials would play an important and effective role in this regard.

On January 16, Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - plus Germany started implementing the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which they had reached on July 14, 2015.

Under the nuclear agreement, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in return for the termination of all nuclear-related sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Jahangiri further called for the removal of obstacles to banking transactions between Tehran and Algiers in order to enhance the two sides' economic cooperation.

The Iranian vice president further said Tehran and Algiers must move toward building an oil-independent economy. "As two oil-rich countries, Iran and Algeria, must cut down on their reliance on oil revenues and the sooner they achieve this feat, the better for the two countries." 

He also called on Algeria to play a more active role in the settlement of ongoing issues in the Middle East, saying, “We expect the country to play an effective and more dynamic role in [resolving] regional issues, particularly problems and issues which some countries in the region and in the Muslim world are facing.”

Iran, Algeria must improve coordination in energy sector

The Algerian minister, for his part, said Tehran and Algiers are in sync in their policies at OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) and called on the two countries to improve their coordination in the energy sector.

He added that the two countries have always maintained good ties but noted that they could use the grounds provided after the implementation of the JCPOA to bolster their economic cooperation.

Bouterfa said the two countries need to establish direct flights to help improve bilateral economic ties and expressed Algeria’s readiness to take necessary steps to shore up bilateral cooperation and serve the two nations’ interests.

He added that his country is making efforts to play a positive role in solving regional crises and establishing peace.

Algeria has mounted its efforts to fight terrorist groups such as Daesh Takfiri terrorists, he said and stressed the importance of introducing true Islam to the world.

Iran-Algeria relations at OPEC strategic: Zangeneh

Also on Saturday, the Algerian minister of energy also met Iranian Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh.

Zangeneh said the Islamic Republic has “long-term, lasting and strategic” relations with Algeria at OPEC.

“In addition to cooperation at OPEC, Iran and Algeria can expand their relations in oil, gas and energy sectors as well as other fields,” Zangeneh said.

The Algerian minister, for his part, said Tehran and Algiers enjoy strong relations at OPEC.

He added that Algeria always supported Iran when it was under cruel sanctions over its nuclear program.

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