Algeria and Italy are willing to strengthen the fight against terrorism, including Libya, said Sunday in Algiers Minister for Maghreb and African Affairs Abdelkader Messahel and Italian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Lapo Pistelli.
In a press briefing following the Algerian-Italian high-level contact group meeting on the fight against terrorism, Pistelli stated that “Algeria and Italy are able to face the terrorist threat of the self-proclaimed Islamic State terrorist Organization (Daech).”
“The friendship between Algeria and Italian and their cooperation in the fight against terrorism is stronger than the terrorist threat,” Pistelli added.
Referring to arms trafficking that proliferates in Libya and neighboring countries, the same official stressed the entire Sahel region is threatened by arms and drug trafficking.
Moreover, the Algerian-Italian relations are “solid”, he stressed noting that the two countries are “allies and brothers.”
For his part, Messahel emphasized the need to “quickly stabilize Libya,” noting the importance of stability in the neighboring countries to achieve stability in neighboring countries, including Algeria and Italy.
“There is a terrorist threat to the entire region. It is useful, important and urgent that countries such as Algeria and Italy meet to assess the threat and its consequences,” said Messahel, noting that it is necessary to strengthen the fight against terrorism between the two countries.
In addition to the fight against terrorism, the two sides discussed at the meeting other “concrete” programs for bilateral cooperation, including the next meeting of the Algerian-Italian Joint Commission scheduled before the Holy month Ramadan.
