Algeria is the second biggest country in North Africa, with a population of 30 million of which three million live in Algiers, the capital city.
The country has a 1200 km Mediterranean coastline and borders on six countries to the west, east, and south.
Algeria boasts a strong civil society, boosted by the presence of a large number of NGOs.
The people enjoy the right to freedom of expression and opinion, and an open, diversified press.
There is an ever-growing involvement of women in the country's socio-economic life though participation in various fields such as healthcare, education, research, law and technology.
After being under foreign rule for more than 130 years, Algeria gained independence on July 5, 1962. The government swiftly had to restore order to meet its citizens' pressing needs and rebuild its shattered infrastructure.
In terms of foreign policy, Algeria succeeded in creating a prestigious reputation owing to its courageous stand on a variety of international issues, support for the independence of many countries and its contribution to international peacekeeping based on mutual respect and the equality of nations.
Within a few years Algeria became respected and trusted in international circles such as the Arab world, Africa, the Non-Alignment Movement, and the United Nations. The chairmanship of the UN General Assembly by Algeria's current President Bouteflika, culminated in the condemnation of the apartheid regime, the admission of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation as a delegate, and the adoption of an important resolution on the New International Order upholding the principle of popular sovereignty over a country's national resources.
Algeria in the modern era.
The transition from a one-party system to pluralistic government went smoothly, supported by an independent and diversified print media and the right to freedom of opinion.
Unfortunately, this harmony was undermined by the terrorism Algeria has fought against unceasingly for more than a decade. Throughout this campaign the government was able to rely on the strong commitment of the Algerian people to restore peace and foster the rebuilding of their society in a tolerant and understanding climate.
After this difficult period, Algeria was set on a national renewal programme; initially restoring security, re-establishing the government's authority and credibility, and further readjusting our national economy. With the rehabilitation of our country's image internationally came the recovery of the country's role as a player in the geopolitical arenas to which it belonged.
Within the framework of overall reform, important action was undertaken to modernise the legal system, re-organise government structures, renovate the education, training and healthcare systems and restructure the economic, financial, and banking sectors.
Faced with substantial changes across the world, Algeria adopted a strategy launched by President Bouteflika, aimed at economic and social reconfiguration within a 20 year timeframe. This comprised a large-scale programme of regional redevelopment and the construction of important infrastructure including the 2000-km long Maghreb road, 30 dams, 30 new ports, 10 airports, and many new towns.
Among the project's major principles are inter-regional balance, social welfare through employment reinforcement, and the importance attached to the Saharan regions and the high plateaus. Here, major infrastructure development is aimed at motivating the population to migrate from the country's north to south.
The Association Agreement signed some years ago with the European Union and the WTO accession process, as well as the commitment reaffirmed by the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) have both convinced Algerians to face the necessity of achieving a higher level of institutional and economic organisation and performance.
Additionally, the Algiers Summit held in July 1999 triggered institutional reform of the Pan-African organisation and accordingly recommendations were adopted in the field of human rights, democracy, and good leadership practice.
The NEPAD, in which Algeria is taking an active part, comprises many mutual commitments between African and rich countries; the former having to ensure the conditions necessary to promote sustainable development and the latter being called upon to support this endeavour by increasing development-oriented public assistance and investment.
Algeria is involved in many regional projects in co-operation with some African countries. For instance there is the trans-Saharan road that will at first link Algiers to Abuja and then be extended to South Africa. This project, the Algerian portion of which has already been implemented, will enable many African countries to become more open to trade with Europe. In the communications field, a fibre-optic phone network is being set up and, in the energy sector, gas pipelines are being laid to transport Algerian gas to other African countries. All of these will enhance inter-African cooperation.
The objective of this work is to promote co-operation through a global consensus speeding-up growth world-wide, mobilising financial resources in each country, increasing international private investment, opening markets and establishing fair trade rules bridging the widened gap between rich and poor countries.
In addition to our existing economic relations with Europe, Algeria has established several projects such as building two more gas pipelines linking the Algerian territory to Almeria (Spain) and Sardinia (Italy), the exportation of Algerian electricity to Southern Europe, and other forms of co-operation in the investment field.
Despite the magnitude of this long-term endeavour, Algerians feel confident and believe Algeria has the capacity to keep up with current change, is well aware of its responsibilities and worthy of respect from the international community.
Algerian-Bulgarian relations:
The two countries' relations go back to Algeria's pre-independence history, when Bulgaria provided military supplies to our combatants, medical evacuation, and scholarships to our students. This co-operation continued for years after independence with Bulgaria sending specialists to work in various fields within Algeria.
Because of change across the world since the 1990s, our bilateral relations have somewhat suffered but still continue today with a series of agreements to renovate the legal framework of our relations.
In terms of economic exchange, Bulgaria has succeeded in concluding many transactions in Algeria, establishing contacts with Algerian businessmen, creating joint ventures and building a partnership extending to many sectors.
The bilateral co-operation initiated by both parties needs enhancing. This requires intensifying the dialogue between them by multiplying the exchange of visits focused on the political and economic activity fields.
There is a wider perspective. In economic terms, issues have clearly gotten better for both countries owing to the changes made in the organisation of their economic activities and the effort deployed to reform their economies. This will certainly open the door to the flow of foreign investment into the two countries.
Regionally, Bulgaria may become part of the European Union, while Algeria has signed an Association Agreement with the 15 current state members. After a dozen years at the latest, the two countries will both become part of the Mediterranean free trade zone.
Today, this enables us to enjoy our complementary economic relations, making use of the two countries' comparative advantages such as Bulgaria's agricultural resources and industrial capabilities and Algeria production of liquid fuel.
The country has a 1200 km Mediterranean coastline and borders on six countries to the west, east, and south.
Algeria boasts a strong civil society, boosted by the presence of a large number of NGOs.
The people enjoy the right to freedom of expression and opinion, and an open, diversified press.
There is an ever-growing involvement of women in the country's socio-economic life though participation in various fields such as healthcare, education, research, law and technology.
After being under foreign rule for more than 130 years, Algeria gained independence on July 5, 1962. The government swiftly had to restore order to meet its citizens' pressing needs and rebuild its shattered infrastructure.
In terms of foreign policy, Algeria succeeded in creating a prestigious reputation owing to its courageous stand on a variety of international issues, support for the independence of many countries and its contribution to international peacekeeping based on mutual respect and the equality of nations.
Within a few years Algeria became respected and trusted in international circles such as the Arab world, Africa, the Non-Alignment Movement, and the United Nations. The chairmanship of the UN General Assembly by Algeria's current President Bouteflika, culminated in the condemnation of the apartheid regime, the admission of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation as a delegate, and the adoption of an important resolution on the New International Order upholding the principle of popular sovereignty over a country's national resources.
Algeria in the modern era.
The transition from a one-party system to pluralistic government went smoothly, supported by an independent and diversified print media and the right to freedom of opinion.
Unfortunately, this harmony was undermined by the terrorism Algeria has fought against unceasingly for more than a decade. Throughout this campaign the government was able to rely on the strong commitment of the Algerian people to restore peace and foster the rebuilding of their society in a tolerant and understanding climate.
After this difficult period, Algeria was set on a national renewal programme; initially restoring security, re-establishing the government's authority and credibility, and further readjusting our national economy. With the rehabilitation of our country's image internationally came the recovery of the country's role as a player in the geopolitical arenas to which it belonged.
Within the framework of overall reform, important action was undertaken to modernise the legal system, re-organise government structures, renovate the education, training and healthcare systems and restructure the economic, financial, and banking sectors.
Faced with substantial changes across the world, Algeria adopted a strategy launched by President Bouteflika, aimed at economic and social reconfiguration within a 20 year timeframe. This comprised a large-scale programme of regional redevelopment and the construction of important infrastructure including the 2000-km long Maghreb road, 30 dams, 30 new ports, 10 airports, and many new towns.
Among the project's major principles are inter-regional balance, social welfare through employment reinforcement, and the importance attached to the Saharan regions and the high plateaus. Here, major infrastructure development is aimed at motivating the population to migrate from the country's north to south.
The Association Agreement signed some years ago with the European Union and the WTO accession process, as well as the commitment reaffirmed by the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) have both convinced Algerians to face the necessity of achieving a higher level of institutional and economic organisation and performance.
Additionally, the Algiers Summit held in July 1999 triggered institutional reform of the Pan-African organisation and accordingly recommendations were adopted in the field of human rights, democracy, and good leadership practice.
The NEPAD, in which Algeria is taking an active part, comprises many mutual commitments between African and rich countries; the former having to ensure the conditions necessary to promote sustainable development and the latter being called upon to support this endeavour by increasing development-oriented public assistance and investment.
Algeria is involved in many regional projects in co-operation with some African countries. For instance there is the trans-Saharan road that will at first link Algiers to Abuja and then be extended to South Africa. This project, the Algerian portion of which has already been implemented, will enable many African countries to become more open to trade with Europe. In the communications field, a fibre-optic phone network is being set up and, in the energy sector, gas pipelines are being laid to transport Algerian gas to other African countries. All of these will enhance inter-African cooperation.
The objective of this work is to promote co-operation through a global consensus speeding-up growth world-wide, mobilising financial resources in each country, increasing international private investment, opening markets and establishing fair trade rules bridging the widened gap between rich and poor countries.
In addition to our existing economic relations with Europe, Algeria has established several projects such as building two more gas pipelines linking the Algerian territory to Almeria (Spain) and Sardinia (Italy), the exportation of Algerian electricity to Southern Europe, and other forms of co-operation in the investment field.
Despite the magnitude of this long-term endeavour, Algerians feel confident and believe Algeria has the capacity to keep up with current change, is well aware of its responsibilities and worthy of respect from the international community.
Algerian-Bulgarian relations:
The two countries' relations go back to Algeria's pre-independence history, when Bulgaria provided military supplies to our combatants, medical evacuation, and scholarships to our students. This co-operation continued for years after independence with Bulgaria sending specialists to work in various fields within Algeria.
Because of change across the world since the 1990s, our bilateral relations have somewhat suffered but still continue today with a series of agreements to renovate the legal framework of our relations.
In terms of economic exchange, Bulgaria has succeeded in concluding many transactions in Algeria, establishing contacts with Algerian businessmen, creating joint ventures and building a partnership extending to many sectors.
The bilateral co-operation initiated by both parties needs enhancing. This requires intensifying the dialogue between them by multiplying the exchange of visits focused on the political and economic activity fields.
There is a wider perspective. In economic terms, issues have clearly gotten better for both countries owing to the changes made in the organisation of their economic activities and the effort deployed to reform their economies. This will certainly open the door to the flow of foreign investment into the two countries.
Regionally, Bulgaria may become part of the European Union, while Algeria has signed an Association Agreement with the 15 current state members. After a dozen years at the latest, the two countries will both become part of the Mediterranean free trade zone.
Today, this enables us to enjoy our complementary economic relations, making use of the two countries' comparative advantages such as Bulgaria's agricultural resources and industrial capabilities and Algeria production of liquid fuel.
