MFA: Algeria to Open Embassy in Bratislava, Blanar Welcomes Decision

Bratislava, January 13 (TASR) - Algeria has officially informed Slovakia about its decision to open an embassy in Bratislava, TASR has learnt from the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry's communications department. Algeria will open an embassy in Slovakia for the first time in its history. Until now its representation for Slovakia has been based in Vienna. Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) welcomes the decision. "We extraordinarily appreciate this step, which attests to the fact that reopening a Slovak embassy in Algiers was the right decision. We are giving Slovak-Algerian relations a new impetus, building on our historical ties with the aim of strengthening the partnership chiefly in the investment and economic sphere," stated Blanar. He also sees room for cooperation in potential gas supplies. "Concerning natural gas, Algerian supplies cover some 18 percent of the European Union's needs. Considering the diversification of sources and the strengthening of our energy security, these are strategic issues," explained the minister. Interest in opening an embassy in Slovakia was communicated to the head of Slovak diplomacy by his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf during their bilateral meeting in New York last autumn. He reciprocated regarding the Slovak government's decision to reopen a full-fledged diplomatic mission in Algeria. The Slovak government approved changes in its embassy network last year. Slovakia will open new embassies in Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Philippines and Tanzania, plus a new liaison office in Ethiopia, this year. ko/df