Amadou Toumani Touré, the President of the Republic of Mali  arrived in Algeria on Friday 23 November 2007 for a two-day visit of state at the invitation of his counterpart, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. During this visit, President Toure is due to sign minutes of the 10th session of the Algerian-Malian Border Bilateral Commission held in Algiers on 19 and 20 November. He is also expected to examine with President Bouteflika means to strengthen the cooperation and concertation so that they become strategic axis of their bilateral relations.

This visit will be the occasion for addressing issues of mutual interest, notably for population living in border areas, in which cooperation should be strengthened. These issues include the circulation of persons and goods, cooperation between border security services, realization of the trans-Saharan road, development of the barter border trade, and the fight against terrorism and illegal immigration.

According to the Algerian Delegate Minister in charge of Local Collectivities, Dahou Ould Kablia, the results of the 10th session of the Algerian-Malian Border Bilateral Commission will certainly trigger a new momentum for this cooperation and set up an institutional framework that will deepen cooperation ties between the two countries, notably at their border areas.

Source: Le Jeune Indépendant