QNA/Algiers

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika witnessed the signing of an agreement on the establishment of an Algerian-Qatari joint venture for the construction of a steel plant in the Balara area.
A number of other agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed between the two countries.
These included an agreement on commercial maritime transport and ports and another for the establishment of a centre for  breeding of bustards in El-Bayadh state.
In the energy and minerals sectors, an agreement was signed for co-operation in the field of oil and gas. Another agreement was signed for co-operation in the field of mining between Manal Complex and Qatar Mining Company.
The two sides also signed memoranda of understanding in the field of fuel and petrochemical industries between Sonatrach and Qatar Petroleum International, another between the Manal and Asmidal Complexes and Qatar Petroleum International, on co-operation in the field of research, mining, production and marketing of chemical fertilisers, and a third one between the National Office for Explosives and Asmidal Complex and Qatar Petroleum International on co-operation in the production and marketing of chemical fertilisers.
The signing ceremony was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and the members of the official delegation.
On the Algerian side the signing was attended by Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and a number of ministers.
Earlier, the Emir  held talks with President Bouteflika at the Presidential Palace.
Talks dealt with bilateral relations and ways of developing them,  in addition to a number of regional and international issues
The Emir also attended a luncheon banquet hosted by President Bouteflika, at the People’s Palace in his honour and the accompanying delegation.
The banquet was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani and the  members of the official delegation accompanying the Emir.
On the Algerian side, the function was attended by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, and a number of ministers and senior officials.
Separately, HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani chaired official talks between Qatar and Algeria at the Presidential Palace with Algeria’s Prime Minister  Abdelmalek Sellal.
The talks were attended by members of the Qatari delegation and a number of Algerian ministers.
Discussions dealt with issues related to  strengthening the existing co-operation between the two countries.
Earlier on arrival in Algiers yesterday, the Emir and the accompanying delegation were welcomed at Houari Boumediene Airport by President Bouteflika, president of the Council of the Nation Abdelkhader Bensalah, president of the People’s National Assembly Mohamed al-Arabi Ould Khalifa, the First Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, president of the Constitutional Council Tayeb Belaiz and several Algerian ministers and high-ranking officials, Qatari Ambassador to Algeria Abdullah bin Nasser al-Humaidi and Algerian Ambassador to Qatar Abdul Fattah Zayyani.
The Emir was accorded a red-carpet reception.
In a statement upon arrival, the Emir expressed great pleasure to meet President Bouteflika, and conveyed the Qatari people’s greetings and wishes of further progress and prosperity to the Algerian people.
The Emir noted that his visit reflects the keenness for consultation and exchanging views between the leaderships of the two countries on the latest developments on the Arab and international arenas; and on ways to further support and strengthen the close  relations in various fields.
Later in the evening the Emir left Algiers after a one-day official visit to Algeria.
He was seen off at Houari Boumediene airport by the President Bouteflika and several Algerian ministers, officials and the Qatari Ambassador to Algeria Abdullah bin Nasser al-Humaidi and Algerian Ambassador to Qatar Abdul Fattah Zayyani.
The Emir sent a cable to the Algerian president expressing his thanks and gratitude for the hospitality and warm reception he and his accompanying delegation received.