Saudi Arabia, Algeria to form a Supreme Coordination Council

Saudi Arabia and Algeria have agreed to establish a supreme coordination council to enhance cooperation in various fields from politics and security, to economy, energy, trade, and investments, among others, the Center for International Communication said in a statement.

The statement said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia left Algeria on Monday following a two-day official visit during which he held talks with Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia covering regional developments, bilateral relations, investment projects and economic partnerships.

The Crown Prince’s talks on Monday with the Algerian Prime Minister touched on bilateral relations in various fields as well as the latest developments in the region, the statement added, citing the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

A joint statement carried by SPA stated that the “two sides agreed to establish a supreme coordination council under co-chairmanship of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defense, and Algeria's Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, in order to enhance cooperation in the fields of politics, security, combating terrorism and extremism, economy, trade, investment, energy, mining, culture and education."

The foreign ministers of the two countries were assigned to set up suitable mechanisms.

The supreme coordination council’s establishment came “within the framework of the distinguished brotherly relations and historical ties” between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and upon directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the statement added.