Algeria, Egypt ink 17 agreements, memoranda of understanding

Seventeen (17) agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in Cairo on Thursday at the end of the 7th Algerian-Egyptian High Joint Commission chaired by Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and Egyptian counterpart Ibrahim Mahleb.
The agreements and memoranda of understanding signed cover several sectors, including export development, consumer protection, cooperation between the Algerian and Egyptian stock markets, insurance and reinsurance, veterinary services and vocational training.
In this context, an agreement was concluded in media field and a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Agency Algeria Press Service (APS) and the MENA agency.
An executive program of cultural cooperation was set up between the two countries (2015-2017).
Thus, and under this agreement, Algeria invited Egypt to take part in the event "Constantine, the capital of Arab Culture 2015."
A Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of construction and the management of industrial areas between the two countries was signed between the National Algerian Agency of Inter- mediation and land regulation (ANIREF) the Egyptian General Body of Industrial Development.
In addition to an executive program for cooperation in tourism 2015-2017, another executive program of cooperation was signed in the field of higher education 2015-2017.
A stress was put on the need to enhance the cooperation between both countries’ interior ministries and the signing of an executive program 2015-2017 on the implementation of cooperation in employment.
The meeting also decided to extend for three years the validity of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries in the field of archives between National Directorate of Archives (Algeria) and the House of Book and National Documents (Egypt).
The two sides also agreed to accelerate the holding of the 2nd meeting of the Algerian-Egyptian Business Council in Cairo.
In the energy sector, the Commission welcomed the agreement between Sonatrach and the Egyptian holding "EGAS" in anticipation of the conclusion of a contract for the supply of Egypt with natural gas.
The Commission stressed the need to boost the mechanisms for the creation of an Algerian-Egyptian joint venture specializing in the exploration and production of crude oil and gas in both domestic and foreign.
It was decided to continue the current talks on the Algerian Sahara Blend refining in Midor refineries (Egypt) and to strengthen the exchange of experiences in the field of renewable energies.
The Algerian-Egyptian High Joint Commission also called for the promotion of partnerships between Algerian and Egyptian companies through the holding in the shortest possible time, a meeting between contractors from both countries.
It also pleaded for the exchange of experiences between experts and research centers of the two countries to conclude agreements in common interest fields, particularly for seismic and building systems.
 The 8th session of the Egyptian-Algerian High Joint Committee will be held in November in 2016, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister of Algeria and his Egyptian counterpart.