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Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Lazaro, Algerian Vice Minister for Western Sahara and Maghreb Countries Belani Talk Reinvigoration of PH-Algeria Ties

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DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro during the meeting with Algerian Vice Minister for Western Sahara and the Maghreb Countries Amar Belani at the DFA on 15 June 2022. (DFA-OPCD photo by Camille Barizo)

PASAY CITY 17 June 2022 – DFA Undersecretary for Bilateral and ASEAN Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro received Algerian Vice Minister for Western Sahara and the Maghreb Countries Amar Belani in a meeting at the DFA on 15 June 2022. 

During the call, Undersecretary Lazaro and Vice Minister Belani reviewed the status of relations as both officials outlined a plan to reinvigorate ties, including the conduct of regular high-level visits and exchanges and the signing of cooperative legal frameworks, such as an MOU on Bilateral Consultations between the Philippines and Algeria. Regular meetings and exchange of visits between business councils of both countries are also being eyed in the future.

Both sides also shared views on current international developments in the West Philippine Sea, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, ASEAN, Mali and the Sahel region, and the African continent, including Western Sahara.

Vice Minister Belani’s official mission included a visit to several ASEAN countries in line with his government’s new thrust to expand relations in the Southeast Asian region. Undersecretary Lazaro welcomed this initiative and offered the assistance of the Philippines in facilitating Algeria’s engagement in ASEAN.

Undersecretary Lazaro also hosted a luncheon in honor of Vice Minister Belani, accompanied by officials from the Office of the Middle East and African Affairs and the Office of Protocol. Vice Minister Belani’s visit to the Philippines is a part of his tour of the five original founding members of ASEAN. END

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From left to right: Deputy Chief of Protocol Mary Jennifer D. Dingal, Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs Alfonso A. Ver, Acting Undersecretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro, Algerian Vice Minister Amar Belani, Chief of Protocol Wilfredo C. Santos, and OMEAA Assistant Director Jules Patrick A. Aguila. (DFA-OPCD photo by Camille Barizo)