Algeria, UK hold first meeting of Strategic Security Partnership in London

The Algerian delegation which is taking part in this meeting is led by Deputy Minister for African and Maghreb Affairs Abdelkader Messahel, while the British delegation is led by Sir Kim Darroch, PM David Cameron’s national security adviser.

He is accompanied by senior political, military and security officials.

Concluded by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and British Prime Minister David Cameron, during his last January’s visit to Algiers, The Strategic Security Partnership aims at allowing both countries discuss several topics relating to security.

This first meeting is expected to include an analysis of the threat in the Sahel region and an assessment of possibilities of closer cooperation between the United Kingdom and Algeria in terms of security and counterterrorism, British diplomatic source said.

The strategic security partnership improves the relationship between Algeria and the United Kingdom, which are already linked with productive dialogue on counterterrorism, strong relations of defense and regular exchanges in terms of regional security.

On 26 September 2012, Cameron named Stephen O’ Brien as Special Envoy for the Sahel, what underlines the importance accorded by UK to the region.

Late 2012, O’Brien paid a visit to Algeria, considered by UK as a key player in the region's security.