French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin arrived in Algiers Monday on a 24-hour visit for high-ranking talks and to sign a financial agreement.
De Villepin, making his first visit to the former French colony since he was appointed in May, was due to meet later Monday with Prime Minister Ali Benflis, according to French sources, cited by AFP.
On Tuesday, he is expected to have talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and also sign a 61-million-Euro agreement to convert Algeria's debts into investments, Algerian sources said.
In addition, the visit is aimed at preparing for the visits early next year by Benflis to Paris and by French President Jacques Chirac to Algiers, French officials said. (Albawaba.com)
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