The President of Russia and the President of Algeria made statements for the press

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, dear friends.

We just held talks with President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr Tebboune, who is on a state visit in Russia. The talks took place in a businesslike atmosphere and were quite productive.

This is borne out by a solid package of signed interstate, intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents aimed at further strengthening relations between our countries in various diverse areas. Journalists have just seen the exchange of some of these documents.

I will mention one of them - the Declaration on Enhanced Strategic Partnership between our countries. This is a most important bilateral document with clear guidelines for interaction in the long-term perspective.

Overall, the Algerian President's programme here is extremely intensive and substantial. He has met with the Prime Minister of Russia and the speakers of both Federal Assembly chambers. Mr Tebboune also attended the Russia-Algeria business forum and the unveiling ceremony for a square named after Algerian national hero Emir Abdelkader in the centre of Moscow. I'd like to note that in tsarist times, I believe, Alexander II awarded him with the Order of the White Eagle in his time.

Tomorrow, we will continue talking with Mr President at the main plenary session of the 26^th St Petersburg International Economic Forum in St Petersburg.

I would like to emphasise that we are sincerely happy to receive, here in the Kremlin, our friend, President of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune since Algeria is our key partner in the Arab world and in Africa. Russian-Algerian relations are truly constructive and mutually beneficial. They rest on respect and consideration for each other's interests, and we continue developing them in the spirit of friendship and mutual support.

To be continued.