Algerian President starts historic visit to RI

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika arrived here on Sunday for a four-day state visit, the first ever made by an Algerian president to the country.

Bouteflika arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport on Sunday evening and is scheduled to hold a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday.

The state visit is made in response to Megawati's visit to the African country in September last year. A number of trade deals and economic cooperation between the two countries are expected to be signed during Bouteflika's visit.

"To reinforce and further develop bilateral relations is also reflected in the presence of 40 businessmen traveling with the President to explore possibilities of expanding trade exchange," a press statement from the Algerian embassy said.

The two heads of state are also scheduled to witness the signing of memorandum of understandings on cooperation in small and medium enterprises, fisheries, tourism, and trade.

During Megawati's visit to Algeria in September 2002, the two countries agreed to avoid double taxation and ensure the protection and guarantee investment.

Also during the visit, Megawati witnessed the signing of contract between Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina with Algeria's Sonatrach.

Bouteflika's visit is made ahead of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 16. Megawati is also scheduled to attend the summit.

"The visit is to provide excellent opportunity for the two Presidents to exchange views on the challenges facing Muslim countries and other issues of common concerns," the statement said.

Bouteflika was elected president in 1999 as the peak of his long and rocky political career.

He made himself known after he was appointed minister of youth, sports and tourism back in 1962 in the first independent government of Algeria when he was just 25 years old.

The Algerian President is also slated to hold meetings with other Indonesian high-ranking officials such as the House of Representative (DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung.

Bilateral talks will be held on Monday, and the two Presidents will hold joint press conference afterwards. Megawati will also host a state dinner for the visiting president at the State Palace.

On Tuesday, Bouteflika will visit several industrial areas such as Cilegon industrial areas in Banten province and Jababeka industrial estates in West Java province.

He is also slated to visit Bogor Presidential Palace with Megawati on Tuesday.

Before heading for Kuala Lumpur, Bouteflika will visit the ancient town of Yogyakarta on Wednesday.