Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abdelouahab Nouri, and France's Minister of Agriculture, Agribusiness and Forestry Stéphane Le Foll, called Thursday in Biskra, for a "strong and diversified economic partnership between the two countries."
Hosting a joint press conference on the sidelines of a tour of this province (425 km south of Algiers), the two ministers stressed that the establishment of such a partnership is a "common challenge for both countries," before highlighting the many achievements and projects "in the pipeline" to strengthen this option.
Nouri said that efforts are being made with his French counterpart to diversify the exchanges, as part of the partnership agreement and cooperation in the rural development, food processing and notably the cattle industry.
"Agriculture is a priority sector for the Algerian authorities, for it is strategic for the national food security," said Nouri.
Le Foll said that he is in Algeria for "a partnership that is not only based on trade in the short term, but on a measured economic dynamics for the medium and long terms."