Charged by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, inaugurated this Tuesday the headquarters of the new Algerian embassy in Bratislava during an official ceremony marking a major diplomatic turning point between Algeria and Slovakia, according to a statement from the ministry.
In his inaugural speech, Mr. Attaf described the event as “a solemn moment in the life of nations,” considering it the opening of a “new chapter” in bilateral relations between Algeria and Slovakia. The ceremony was attended by the Slovak Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár, the Secretary of State to the Slovak Foreign Minister, ambassadors from both countries, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of the Algerian community residing in Slovakia.
On this occasion, the minister emphasized the “strong, shared, and clearly expressed political will” to elevate the bilateral partnership to a higher level. He noted that the two countries have progressively realized the “immense potential” for cooperation available to them, despite the geographical distance between North Africa and Central Europe. The head of diplomacy clarified that “we have understood that, although coming from different cultures, we are deeply united by the same fundamental values: defending sovereignty, rejecting foreign interference, the quest for peace and justice, and the conviction that every people has the sacred right to choose its own destiny.” He stressed that Algeria and Slovakia adopt on the international stage convergent positions based on the same principles, notably “the defense of multilateralism, international law, and the central role of the United Nations.”
For Mr. Attaf, this convergence of approach confirms that the two countries share the same perspective on today’s major challenges and that “they stand side by side to defend humanity’s most sacred achievements.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs presented the new Algerian embassy in Bratislava as an essential tool aimed at sustainably strengthening bilateral relations. He assured that it will serve as a “living bridge” between the two peoples, a “space for ongoing dialogue,” and a “driving force for all initiatives aiming to bring the two nations closer together.” He also underlined that this diplomatic representation fits into Algeria’s desire to establish a solid position in Central Europe, a region he described as an “emerging strategic partner.”
The minister detailed Algeria’s vision for future bilateral relations, explaining that “the new chapter that begins will rest primarily on strengthened political dialogue, founded on sincere trust, mutual respect, and a constant commitment to maintaining regular consultations.”
He also indicated that “economic cooperation between the two countries will be expanded and diversified.” He specified that this will cover strategic fields such as energy and energy transition, industry, agriculture, advanced technologies, innovation, and scientific research, with the aim of energizing exchanges and seizing all promising opportunities for both economies.
Furthermore, Mr. Attaf asserted that this new phase of cooperation should be accompanied by strengthened human and cultural exchanges, declaring that “our youth must meet, understand each other, and build together the world of tomorrow.” He emphasized that the rapprochement should not be limited to state institutions but also include students, entrepreneurs, researchers, and cultural actors.