Home > Foreign relations of Algeria
Algeria has traditionally practiced an activist foreign policy and in the 1960s and 1970s was noted for its support of Third World policies and independence movements. Algerian diplomacy was instrumental in obtaining the release of U.S. hostages from Iran in 1980. Since his inauguration, President Bouteflika worked to improve Algeria's international reputation, traveling extensively throughout the world. In July 2001, he became the first Algerian President to visit the White House in 16 years. He has made official visits to France, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Germany, the People's Republic of China, Japan, and Russia, among others, since his inauguration.Algeria has taken the lead in working on issues related to the African Continent. Host of the OAU Conference in 2000, Algeria also was key in bringing Ethiopia and Eritrea to the peace table in 2000. It has worked closely with its African neighbors to establish the New African Partnership. Algeria has taken a lead in reviving the Union of the Arab Maghreb with its regional neighbors.
Since 1976, Algeria has supported the PolisarioThe Polisario Polisario Front or Frente Polisario from the Spanish abbreviation of Frente Po pular de Li beracion de Sa guia el Hamra y R o de O ro ("People's Liberation Front of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro") is an army and political movement in the We, a group claiming to represent the population of Western Sahara. Contending that the Sahrawis have a right to self determination under the UN Charter, Algeria has provided the Polisario with material, financial, and political support and sanctuary in southwestern Algeria around TindoufTindouf also written Tinduf is a city in the west of Algeria, pop. In the region there are four refugee camps for people from Western Sahara ( Sahrawis): El Aiun, Awserd, Smara and Dakhla (not to be confused with the cities after which they are named), wi; however, it is no secret that this support was linked to a desire to punish MoroccoAl Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah In Detail( Full size) Official language Arabic Capital Rabat Largest City Casablanca King Mohammed VI Prime Minister Driss Jettou Area Total Ranked 56th 446,550 kmē Population Total (2003) Density31,689,267 70/kmē Ranked 36th In for its brief invasion, after Algerian independence, of Algerian territory around Touat that it claims. UN involvement in the Western Sahara includes MINURSO, a peacekeeping force, and UNHCR, for refugee assistance and resettlement. Active diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute under the auspices of the Special Representative of the Secretary General are on-going. Although the land border between MoroccoAl Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah In Detail( Full size) Official language Arabic Capital Rabat Largest City Casablanca King Mohammed VI Prime Minister Driss Jettou Area Total Ranked 56th 446,550 kmē Population Total (2003) Density31,689,267 70/kmē Ranked 36th In and Algeria was closed in the wake of a terrorist attack, the two have worked at improving relations. Algeria has friendly relations with its other neighbors in the Maghrebsee also North Africa, Arab Maghreb Union, Mashreq) The Maghreb (or Moghreb), meaning "west" in Arabic, is the region of the continent of Africa north of the Sahara desert and west of the Nile specifically, the modern countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisi, TunisiaTunisia is a Muslim Arab country situated on the North African Mediterranean coast. It borders on Algeria to the west and Libya to the south and east. El-joumhouriyya et-Tounisiyya Official language Arabic Capital Tunis President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali P and LibyaThis article is about Libya, the country in North Africa. For the mythical character of the same name see: Libya (mythology . The Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or Libya ( Arabic: ) is a country in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranea, and with its Sub-Saharan neighbors, MaliRepublique de Mali ( In Detail) National motto: Un peuple, un but, une foi(One people, one goal, one faith Official language French (official), Bambara, others Capital Bamako President Amadou Toumani Toure Prime Minister Ousmane Issoufi Maiga Area Total % and NigerRepublique du Niger ( In Detail) (Full size) National motto: Fraternite, Travail, Progres(Fraternity, Work, Progress Official language French (official), Hausa, Djerma, Tamajaq Capital Niamey Capital's coordinates 13° 32' N, 2° 05' E Largest City Niamey P. It closely monitors developments in the Middle East and has been strong proponent of the rights of the Palestinian people, calling publicly for an end to violence in the Occupied Territories.
Algeria has diplomatic relations with more than 100 foreign countries, and over 90 countries maintain diplomatic representation in Algiers.
International disputes: part of the southeastern region is also claimed by Libya; Algeria supports exiled West Saharan Polisario Front and rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; some countries question its use of capital punishment.
