Algeria's president Abdelaziz Bouteflika said Tuesday his country wants NATO to help it fight terrorism and modernize its armed forces. "We would like to develop our cooperation," Bouteflika told reporters during a visit to NATO headquarters.
According to AP, he listed counterterrorism and improving the professionalism of the army as two areas in particular where Algeria wants to boost contacts under the alliance's outreach program for North African and Middle Eastern countries.
NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson emphasized the alliance's willingness to pursue closer ties with all members of its "Mediterranean dialogue" since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
He said closer cooperation could include support for military reforms and shared intelligence on terrorist threats. (Albawaba.com)
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