Russia’s defense minister Sergei Shoigu affirmed that Moscow was ready to enhance Algeria’s armed forces’ combat capabilities.
Shoigu said: “Russia and Algeria had given a clear signal to the whole world that both countries were aiming to pursue an independent foreign policy and safeguard their national interests despite unprecedented pressure from the West.”
He asserted: “We are interested in Algeria’s leading position in strengthening regional security and stability in northern Africa,” adding that Russia had always supported the right of every country to make sovereign decisions on international and domestic issues, especially those related to national security.
This came as Shoigu held talks with the chief of staff of the Algerian People’s National Army, General of the Army Said Chengriha. Where he said that Russian-Algerian ties were developing particularly dynamically and positively.
The two countries have solid and longstanding ties that enhanced over decades of diplomatic cooperation and mutual interests.
Russia and Algeria maintained friendly relations since Algeria’s independence in 1962. The bilateral relationship is characterized by significant economic and military cooperation.