Algiers
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in Algeria, was presented with the title of honorary doctorate by the University of Algiers on Wednesday.
Prof.Tahir Haccar, rector of the University of Algiers, delivered a speech at the university and expressed his pleasure over the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Stating that bilateral relations between Turkey and Algeria were enhanced during the term Erdogan served as prime minister, Haccar said they presented Erdogan with the title of honorary doctorate due to his "contribution to humanity with humane and social knowledge."
Prime Minister Erdogan's wife Emine Erdogan, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Algeria's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Rachid Harraoubia were present during the ceremony.
Erdogan later on proceeded to the Oran province of Algeria, where he was welcomed by his Algerian counterpart Abdelmalek Sellal, to attend the opening ceremony of a Turkish iron and steel plant.
-Turkey and Algeria sign partnership agreement
A partnership agreement that aims to increase the volume of investments was signed between the Algerian Businessmen Forum and Turkey's Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD).
The agreement, signed after Turkey-Algeria Business Forum held in the capital Algiers, included the subjects that will regulate sharing of bilateral economic and trade information, and private investments between the two countries.
Algerian Businessmen Forum that has the largest business volume in Algeria incorporates 560 companies from the private and public sectors.
Erdogan visited with his Algerian counterpart Abdelmalek Sellal the industrial zone near Vahran.
Erdogan was briefed about the Algerian government owned Oil and Gas company "Sonatrach".
Erdogan was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag, Minister of Economy Zafer Caglayan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mehdi Eker and Ministry of Transport, Maritime and Communication Binali Yildirim.
Referring to Turkey's rooted relations with Algeria, Erdogan said " We had the luckiest period of our naval history with Algeria."
"Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika paid a visit to Turkey in 2005 and I visited Algeria in 2006. Mutual visits have been a turning point to strengthen bilateral relations as well as reviving firendship between the countries," said Erdogan.
Erdogan said, although historic and cultural ties were very strong between the two countries, Turkey and Algeria stood distanced after Algeria had become independent but Turkey was ready for all kinds of initiatives to improve relations.
"Both Turkey and Algeria have a common ground in terms of sharing contemporary values such democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms. As a result of a 300 year history with Algeria, there is common cultural heritage from cuisines, dressing, music to architecture" he added.
