Attaf Holds Extensive Bilateral Talks at UN General Assembly
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf led an intensive diplomatic agenda during the 81st United Nations General Assembly's high-level week in New York. His engagements centered on enhancing bilateral relations, fostering economic cooperation, and exchanging views on pressing regional and international issues. Key meetings included top officials from Russia, the United States, and Iran, among others.
Minister Attaf met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation across various sectors, alongside expanding economic partnership and trade. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on international and regional matters of mutual concern, agreeing to continue coordination on developments in the Middle East, the Sahel, and the Western Sahara. This consultation will occur both bilaterally and within multilateral organizations, emphasizing dialogue and political solutions consistent with international law and the UN Charter.
Separately, Mr. Attaf held discussions with Masood Boulos, Senior Advisor to the US President for Arab and African Affairs, and US Deputy Foreign Minister Christopher Landau. These meetings highlighted positive momentum in bilateral relations and explored avenues for further cooperation, particularly in energy, economics, and inter-trade. They also addressed international and regional issues, including developments in Libya, Sudan, the Gulf region, and the Western Sahara, with an agreement to maintain consultations. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Aragchi, also met with Attaf, commending Algeria's role as a bridge for communication and cooperation regionally and internationally. They agreed on continued consultation on mutual concerns and Middle East developments, stressing dialogue between Iran and Arab states for peace and stability.
Minister Attaf also engaged with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Mali, Tunisia, Egypt, and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic. Discussions with Saudi Arabia focused on the Middle East, Sahel, and Libya, reaffirming the importance of a comprehensive Libyan-led political settlement. His meeting with the Saharawi Foreign Minister, Mohamed Yeslem Beisat, provided an opportunity to review the latest developments concerning the Western Sahara issue, particularly the UN process aiming for a just and lasting political solution that guarantees the Sahrawi people's inalienable right to self-determination, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions. Further European engagements included Spain, Slovenia, and the EU Commissioner for Crisis Preparedness, focusing on deepening cooperation in energy, economic ties, crisis management, and natural disaster response.
