“Islam Is Cleansed of ISIL Atrocities,” Believes Algeria’s Ambassador.

Once tasting tinges of revolution and coming in grip with domestic extremism, Algeria is now one of the most stable states in Africa. A Muslim country with improved economic and political capacities, Algeria has become an active player on regional and international fields in so pivotal a way that it was in charge of mediating in the conflict opposing Iran to Iraq and of middling the freedom of the US diplomats in Tehran. To obtain a more fruitful grasp on Iran-Algeria ties and the two countries’ viewpoints toward extremism and the ISIL in the Middle East and Northern Africa, we held an interview with Sofiane Mimouni, the Algerian Ambassador to Iran.

AVA Diplomatic’s Exclusive Interview with the Algerian Ambassador, Sofiane Mimouni

Before your appointment as Algeria’s Ambassador to Tehran, what had your most significant diplomatic positions been?

I was appointed as ambassador of Algeria to the Islamic Republic of Iran in August 2009 and arrived in Iran on December 8, 2009. From 2005 to 2009, previously I served as Director General for Asia and Oceania at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prior to that, from 1996 to 2004, I was Ambassador of Algeria to Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. I have assumed leadership positions as Deputy-Director of Organization of African Unity and then Director of African Multilateral Relations. On a prior occasion, from 1987 to 1992, I also served as counselor in the Permanent Mission of Algeria to the United Nations. I participated in many Summits of Heads of States at the UN, the OAU, the African Union, the Non Aligned Movement and the G-15.

How were you appointed to be the ambassador of Algeria to Iran?

I was Director General for Asia and Oceania at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Algeria and therefore in charge of the cooperation with Iran. Following the changes enlisted in the process of appointing ambassadors and considering the interest paid to the strengthening of the relations between the two countries, I was appointed to Tehran. Just like the appointment of Mr. Ameri, the former Director General of Middle East and North Africa of the Foreign Ministry of Iran who replaced Mehdi Mohammadi in Algeria as Iran’s new envoy.

What major did you educate in?

I hold a diploma from the University of Law of Algiers, an MBA on international law from the University of Paris I-Sorbonne and a diploma from the Institute of International Studies of the University of Paris II- Paris.

 I also speak Arabic, French, English and Spanish; I’m married and have two children.

 How do the authorities in Iran and Algeria view the relations between the two countries?

During the last decade, Algeria and Iran have succeeded in developing their relations in a climate of mutual respect and balance of interests. Our two countries, which enjoy excellent relations marked by trust and mutual understanding, are bound by ties of faith and solidarity.

This longstanding friendship between Algeria and Iran has forged close cooperative relations in the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the G-77 and the G-15 where the two countries share the same views on many issues.

On the political field, there is a good tradition of dialogue and consultations established between the two countries, as evidenced by the regular consultations between the two Foreign Ministers during international meetings, conferences and summits. There is also a suitable mechanism for regular political consultations between high officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries. I believe that this tradition of political consultations between the two countries is necessary in the current international context marked by various tensions and crises and the dominant trend in the use of unilateralism which carry serious threats to peace and security in the world.

Do you believe the two revolutionary countries of Iran and Algeria have been tightly cooperating with one another in terms of regional and international developments?

Iran and Algeria hold high-quality and friendly relations. In fact, the two states share similar intellectual backgrounds, and so, they take stances alike when it comes to affairs which involve the interests of them both, such as in the NAM, G77, G15 and OPEC. If we look at the past, Algeria was the middle country both before and after the Islamic Revolution between Iran and Iraq, and even at the time of capturing the American embassy in Tehran, Algeria tried to intervene. So you see that Algeria has always been a trusted party in the eyes of Iran.

How do you find the economic backgrounds between Iran and Algeria?

With regard to the economic field, Algeria and Iran have endeavored to promote dense bilateral relations and develop a cooperation based on mutual interests. To that end, the two countries succeeded in establishing a legal framework for the cooperation with the conclusion of more than fifty four agreements, memorandums of understanding and cooperation programs covering all economic sectors. This legal framework aims at boosting and widening the scope of their bilateral cooperation and increasing significantly the opportunities offered by the vast potentialities of both countries. Today, it offers better prospects of economic cooperation and trade exchanges.

Furthermore, many Iranian companies are now present in Algeria and doing business with their Algerian counterparts, whether from the public or private sector. The presence of more than fifteen Iranian companies in Algeria proves that the relations between the two countries are expanding. Indeed, the economic cooperation, which was virtually at an embryonic level, is now developing gradually.

 Obviously, there is still much work to be done. The positive results achieved so far, while constituting an encouraging indication of the good prospect for the expansion of bilateral cooperation, remains indeed below the potentialities of the two countries and underscore the need for optimizing all opportunities of cooperation.

 The common objective of both countries is now to provide a more substantial economic cooperation. Algeria and Iran are today preparing the 2^nd session of the High Joint Commission, presided by the Prime-Minister of Algeria and the First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This session, which is planned to take place in Algiers in 2015, will be devoted to strengthening cooperation, developing economic exchanges and promoting partnership between both countries.

 In view of their longstanding friendship and strong commitment to foster their relations, I remain confident that Algeria and Iran will succeed in taking the best of their respective potentialities and in extending, diversifying and enhancing their bilateral cooperation, thus building a comprehensive cooperation which will meet the aspirations of their respective people.

How much do you believe the visits of the authorities of the two states can affect the development of bilateral economic-political ties?

The relations between Algeria and Iran are marked by a new dynamic that reflects the excellent ties that bind the two countries. The visits of delegations from both sides are regular and are expected to intensify in the future, particularly after the holding of the second session of the High Joint Commission.

The Chairman of the People’s National Assembly, Mohamed Larbi Ould Khalifa, was in Tehran on February 2014 to take part to the 9^th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States and was received by President Hassan Rohani.

The Secretary General of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign affairs was in Iran last august and took part to the Ministerial Meeting of the committee on Palestine. He had the opportunity to meet H.E. M. Javad Zarif and exchange views on many regional and international issues.

A delegation composed of Algerian writers took part, from 06 to 09 October, to a symposium, organized by the University of Beheshti, on ‘‘contemporary Algerian literature’’.

At the eve of the celebration of the 60^th anniversary of November 1^st     revolution, Mrs. Djamila Boupacha, the heroine of the struggle for national liberation and freedom fighter was in Teheran from 5 to 19 October.

A delegation of the Algerian Ministry of Agriculture will be in Teheran on 18 and 19 October in order to participate in a regional workshop on the planning and identification of quinoa.

The Algerian Minister of Housing, Construction and the city is expected to visit Iran during the month of November and the Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance will visit Algeria beginning 2015.

This exchange of visits shows that the cooperation between Algeria and Iran is dynamic and vibrant.

How do you assess the role of culture in bringing the two countries closer together?

Culture is also an important part of the bilateral cooperation as it is the preferred vehicle of the community and of the understanding between the Algerian and the Iranian people. In this respect, the two countries have organized regularly exhibitions of their respective arts. A week of Iranian crafts was held in Algeria in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013. Tehran hosted, for its part, a week of the Algerian handicrafts in February 2012.

The Algerian Embassy in Teheran will celebrate the 60^th anniversary of November 1^st and will share with the Iranian people throughout 2015, a series of cultural programs and events including Algerian film festivals and art exhibitions.

These events will give Iranians and art lovers a glimpse of Algerian arts and an idea of the rich heritage of Algeria in art and crafts. From carpets to ceramics, from silverware to traditional dress, from pottery to paintings, Algeria has indeed a tremendous variety of skills that produce items that are unequaled in the region.

The richness and the diversity of its production derive from the diverse and prestigious history of the country. Set at crossroad of centuries, of civilizations and of continents, Algeria has been, all along its history, a country of meetings and exchanges. It is not surprising that today, local craftsmen produce works that combine the tradition of their ancestors, the Islamic values and their identity in the modern world.

This indicates that the executive program of cultural exchanges signed by the two countries is implemented and proves favorable to the development of the activities of exchange between the two peoples. It also means that the Algerian-Iranian cooperation is strengthening in a continuous, global and balanced manner, in order to involve all aspects of the bilateral relations.

 How much have the potentials between Iran and Algeria revitalized?

The cooperation between Algeria and Iran has great potentials and offer real and concrete prospects. In this regard, the bilateral relations are strengthening gradually in order to involve all sectors.

There is a strong willingness from both countries to foster their economic relations and to use all their potentialities to boost further their cooperation. The common goal of both countries is now to provide a more substantial economic cooperation. The two countries should identify new areas of cooperation, diversify the economic exchanges and promote partnership in some sectors.

But the responsibility for strengthening ties bonds does not lie solely with governments but also with the businessman and the chambers of trade. There is a need for the chambers of trade of the two countries to be more active and to disseminate the information on the economic opportunities offered by the Algerian and Iranian markets.

However, I am confident in the ability of the two countries to strengthen their economic relations and go beyond the simple trade exchanges, to give more pace and diversity to the relations of cooperation and to show initiative aimed at building sustainable relations of which both parties would take advantage.

In which areas do you imagine Iran and Algeria can collaborate to fight the ISIL?

Iran and Algeria maintain similar approaches both condemning the ISIL’s atrocities, for it is a terrorist group and what it commits through Islam is nothing but terror, whereas Islam firmly rejects such actions.

This terrorist organization that claims to fight for Islam and uses its name for terror, violence and hatred has nothing to do with Islam. Islam is innocent from the vile terrorist acts that are committed on its behalf. In fact, the rise of extremism and the emergence of new and complex threats constitute a major challenge to the international community and needs to be addressed. Terrorism is a global threat that requires a long term coherent international response.

As you know, Algeria has been confronted to terrorism for a decade and succeeded, at a high price, in defeating this scourge. After many years of effective fight against terrorism, Algeria has acquired a rich experience and has today a clear vision of what should be done to face this scourge.

As a global threat, terrorism requires a global response. The eradication of this phenomenon requires a comprehensive approach, comprising political, economic, diplomatic, military and legal means. Strengthening cooperation between all the states has grown into a vital necessity. Exchanging information and ensuring a strong coordination between security authorities help dismantling terrorist’s networks and preventing terrorist’s attacks.

Because this fight requires a regional and international cooperation, Algeria is sharing today with many countries its strategy and experience in the fight against terrorism.

At bilateral level, Algeria is coordinating with most of its partners, which are contributing to the fight against terrorism with the respect for the principles of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy. It is in constant contact with countries, Arab or others, which are contributing to the fight against terrorism in order to counter this widely spread scourge.

Algeria considers that complex issues require measures that are not limited to military-security solutions. Complex issues require multidimensional solutions.

At a regional level, Algeria works actively with its neighboring countries to develop a common strategy based on a comprehensive approach that integrates the security aspect with its dimensions of solidarity and development. In this regard, Algeria initiated a regional counterterrorism approach with Mali, Niger, and Mauritania, seeking to increase security cooperation and address the root causes of instability in the region.

At the international level, several instruments to fight international terrorism have been adopted. Furthermore a global strategy to counter terrorism was also adopted in 2005. The strategy marks the first time that all member States of the United Nations have agreed to a common strategy and operational framework to fight terrorism. It is worth mentioning that Algeria also campaigned publicly for strengthening the international legal regime against ransom payment for terrorist kidnappings, including the call for a UN-sponsored resolution condemning such payments.

There is no doubt that the success of the fight against terrorism depends on the ability of the international community to take concrete actions in a coordinated manner at national, regional and international levels.

The ISIL is also striving to play an active role in the Northern Africa. Has it made any entrance to Algeria thus far?

First off, we all should comprehend that the ISIL would like to extend its grip everywhere. I do decline the notion of any ISIL offshoot being present in Algeria now. It is true that small terrorist groups existed in remote areas in Algeria, but their operations were thwarted by the Algerian Army and they have been in their majority dismantled and defeated.

Given the location of the African Counterterrorism Studies Center which is in Algeria, have there been any researches on the probability of new ISIL bases in Africa?

Enjoying experts of eligible qualifications, this center conducts counterterrorism studies and intends to bring coordination among African countries to take action against terrorism. The point is that in the past, fighting terrorism was all about fighting Al Qaeda, but now the ISIL has got the spotlight and maybe another group rises tomorrow. They may differ in name, but their objectives are the same. What really matters is the need for the international community to fight this global threat.

Did Algeria suffer terrorism, too?

Of course, Algeria has suffered from terrorism for more than a decade from 1992 to 1999 but it had succeeded in defeating this scourge and in acquiring a rich experience in fighting this phenomena. Algeria has repeatedly called for an international cooperation for the eradication of this cross border phenomenon and expressed on many occasions its readiness to assist the international community with its experience in the field of combating terrorism acquired at a very costly price.

Between these years, extremist groups were in Algeria, but the country eventually managed to achieve a political equilibrium. Why couldn’t other neighboring countries walk on the same path?

When President Bouteflika won the office, the country was very much confronted with economic challenges. After his election, President Bouteflika devoted his efforts to solve the difficulties experienced by the country. In this regard, he decided, first of all, to hold a referendum on national reconciliation in order to bring peace and harmony in the country. The landslide victory of the referendum on civil concord marked the rejection of violence by the Algerian people and their aspiration to peace and harmony. The overwhelming adhesion of Algerians to the policy of civil concord demonstrates the innate generosity of the people and their adherence to the lofty values of tolerance which characterize true Islam. Today, the Algerian people are rejecting violence because it is not part of their traditions.

President Bouteflika started then to deal with economic problems. He set a course for economic revival, reformed the financial and educational systems and motivated initiatives by the private sector. Algeria undertook structural reforms that deeply transformed the organization of its economy. Tremendous efforts were indeed introduced in order to improve the economy. The efforts achieved in this regard have borne positive results. To give you an example. Only one year before his election, the country had a foreign debt of $ 36 bn and the country’s foreign reserves were $ 2 bn. Today, Algeria has succeeded in paying its debt and the country’s foreign reserves stand at $ 224 bn which is a token of Mr. Bouteflika’s success.

It is clear today that the strategy of the President has borne fruits. Algeria has indeed gained back its stability, revived its economy and restored its audience.

In order to stimulate these positive developments, improve the living conditions, upgrade the country’s infrastructure, reduce the regional inequalities and tackle the unemployment, President Bouteflika launched three investment programs (150 billion US$ for the period of 2000-2005, 200 billion US$ for the period of 2005-2010 and 250 billion US$ for the period of 2010-2015). These programs yielded positive results with the realization of various infrastructures and so­cio-economic equipment and the reduction of the deficit in housing with the realization of one mil­lion housing units every five years.

 Considering all the success, stability and peace we have inside the country, the Algerian people don’t want to go back to a period of turbulence witnessed before Mr. Bouteflika’s election in 1999.

In other words, the President owes his popularity to his works in favor of the people.

How much is Algeria’s economic growth dependent on its oil and non-oil export?

That’s actually one of the problems ahead of Algeria. After decades of heavy dependence on hydrocarbon exports, the Government of Algeria is now implementing a policy seeking to encourage private sectors and diversification of the economy. In its endeavor to reduce the dominance of the hydrocarbon sector which now represents 95% of the Algerian exports and revenue, the Government is working to bolster new sectors such as the industry, the mining, the tourism,… .

Is Algeria looking to become Africa’s no.1 economy?

The government have introduced during the last decade a vast program of reforms aimed at improving the economy and offering incentives to attract foreign and domestic investment. Today, Algeria is emerging as one of the most attractive markets in the region. At the moment, Algeria ranks as Africa’s second or third largest economy. If we want to place rankings on exports and global market in Africa, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria and Egypt are the top four countries. But, Algeria is now considered to be the biggest and the most attractive market in the region with its economic plans being implemented now.

 As you well know, over the past few weeks, there has been a fight in determining the oil price, which is a velvet war in the area of energy. In this battle, Saudi Arabia seeks to keep the global price of oil low and put Iran and Russia under pressure. Has that had an impact on Algeria’s economy and its oil revenues?

Of course. As every oil producer country, we are following with great interest the fluctuations of oil prices but I don’t think that we are facing problems in terms of oil export and revenues, too.

Has Algeria considered the price of oil at $100 bpd for its 2014 budget?

Actually, the real speculation is a little lower. It’s been about more than 10 years now since the final budget of the country is calculated on half as much as the global price.

Do you mean the price is set at $50?

Roughly.

So, may I ask where the government spends the balance of the price?

The revenues contributed first to the increase in the foreign exchange reserves, it helped also to the establishment of a regulation fund of revenues aimed at partially covering the budget deficit and the external debt and to mitigate the effect of any external shock on the conduct of fiscal policy. The oil revenues contributed also to the country’s development plans mentioned previously. One of our projects was the building of the east-west highway which links Algeria to Tunisia lingering for over 1200km. There is another highway which connects Algeria to its southern part, the Sahara and Mali. The Algerian part of this highway is now over and done.

 The injection of such huge sums of oil money into the country’s economy can lead to an increase in cash flow of the country and eventually to a boost in inflation rate should strategies not be devised beforehand. How have the authorities managed to take the inflation rate under control?

The Algerian Ministry of Finances should answer that.

If you have any final word you’d like to share with us, we’d be glad to hear them.

I hope that the excellent relations existing between Algeria and Iran will strengthen further in various fields in the future.