ANKARA - Algerian Minister of Interior Nourredine Yazid Zerhouni visited on Friday Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu.
The two ministers headed the meeting of Turkish-Algerian delegations following their tete-a-tete meeting.
Aksu told reporters before the meeting of delegations that terror was the main issue in the meeting and stated that today international society was mostly uneasy about terrorism.
Stating that there was not any terror activity which affected both countries, Aksu stressed that prevention of possible terror activities depended on development of international cooperation.
Aksu said that in this respect, Algeria's attitude was very important regarding the issue of terrorist PKK/KADEK organization and other terrorist organizations. He added that they hoped that Algerian authorities would carry on their sensitivity on the issue.
Underlining the importance of taking joint measures to fight against drug smuggling and organized crimes, Aksu said that they wanted atmosphere of cooperation between Turkey and Algeria to be turned into a bilateral joint working field.
Aksu said that it would be beneficial to complete negotiations on security cooperation agreement between the two countries soon.
Stating that illegal migration and human smuggling were leading international crimes, Aksu said that international society was searching for a solution to those crimes by signing reacceptance agreements.
Aksu said that they attributed great importance to the agreement which was prepared by Turkey and which was submitted to Algerian authorities on April 16, 2002 and stated that he hoped that a progress would be recorded on this issue soon.
Zerhouni said that terrorism was the biggest problem of Algeria and stated that the two countries could unite their struggle against those people and groups.
Stating that Algeria never allowed violence, Zerhouni said that they understood well Turkey's problems on the issue. Zerhouni added that he would support cooperation in fight against terrorism.
Zerhouni said that cooperation could be made in fight against drug and human smuggling and organized crimes and stated that Algeria's doctrine on reacceptance agreement was to include illegal migration in struggle of the two countries.
Zerhouni said that Algeria followed a similar path with Turkey in modernization studies.
(EÖ-AÖ) 05.09.2003