The relations between Algeria and Portugal continue to expand. This was reflected by the recent of Algerian president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Portugal. The three day visit started on May 30. It follows a similar visit by the Portuguese President, Jorge Sampaio, to Algeria during December 2003, and the signature of a Treaty of Friendship, Good Vicinity and Cooperation between the two countries on January 8, 2005.
La Nouvelle Republique reports that leading business figures in both countries expect Bouteflika's visit to produce new economic agreements, which will push the already flourishing trade cooperation between the two countries, even further.
Portugal currently relies on Algeria for about 88% percent of its total energy needs, according to the Algerian Ministry of Energy. It is predicted that during Bouteflika's visit, the two leaders will discuss ways to remove some obstacles, which currently prevent similar cooperation between the two countries in other sectors.
