The opportunities for deepening and intensifying relations between Bulgaria and Algeria were the main topic of discussion between Speaker of Parliament Tsveta Karayancheva and Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel. The Foreign Minister is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ekaterina Zaharieva.

Bulgaria and Algeria have traditionally good relations, which we should continue to develop and enhance, emphasised the Speaker of the Bulgarian Parliament. Tsveta Karayancheva said that the legislative institutions of the two countries had a key role for intensifying bilateral relations. We already have a Bulgaria-Algeria Friendship Group in our Parliament and we hope that you will also set up a friendship group, she said. The initiatives that will be discussed by the two groups will strengthen the bilateral relations, emphasised the Speaker of Parliament.

Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel said that Bulgaria and Algeria had long-term and friendly relations. The Foreign Minister said that the parliament played a key role in each democratic country. We are working to organise a friendship group between Algeria and the European countries, he added.

Algeria has unique experience in the fight against extremism and terrorism, emphasised Abdelkader Messahel. If we want to fight against hate speech, our weapon should be democracy, he said. Illegal migration and terrorism are issues affecting all countries around the world and we have to work together and support each other in our efforts to find a solution, said Tsveta Karayancheva.