Oleh/By : DATO SERI DR MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : ALGIERS, PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA
Tarikh/Date : 11/08/2003
Tajuk/Title : THE STATE DINNER HOSTED BY HIS
EXCELLENCY ABDELAZIZ
BOUTEFLIKA PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE'S
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA
Versi : ENGLISH
Penyampai : PM
Thank you, Mr. President, for your kind words of
welcome. It is indeed a pleasure for me, my wife and my
delegation to be in Algiers. I am very glad that I have
finally been able to undertake this visit. On behalf of
my wife and members of my delegation, I would like to
express my sincere gratitude to you, your Government
and the people of Algeria for the warm hospitality and
excellent arrangements extended to us since our arrival
in your beautiful and historic country.
2. Both Malaysia and Algeria are fairly young
nations. We were both colonised - Malaysia by the
British and Algeria by the French. Our past experiences
may be diverse, our histories may be different but
beyond all these, we have something in common, that we
share a common destiny. We both aspire for our
countries to develop and for our people to prosper.
3. Malaysia follows with keen interest Algeria's
relentless efforts to improve the economic and social
well being of her people. The economic reforms that are
being introduced and implemented in the country
illustrate Algeria's determination to achieve this
goal. Algeria has enormous potential, not only in terms
of its natural wealth, but also in its well-educated
young people. Algeria has successfully concluded the
Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with the EU
and the negotiations to join the WTO is progressing
well. This will give a clear message to the
international community of the vast potential of trade
and investment that Algeria has to offer. Algeria's
active role and participation in NEPAD is also
laudable. The future of Algeria is indeed very bright
and I am fully confident that under your able
leadership, Mr President, Algeria will emerge as one of
the most successful economies of the continent.
4. To achieve economic development is not easy.
Malaysia's own experience is not rosy. There are bound
to be difficulties but these are not insurmountable.
Hard work, determination and proper planning and
determined execution are keys to achieve economic
development. Malaysia is ready to share what little
experience it has in developing and managing its
economy with fellow developing countries. In this
regard, I earnestly hope that the study on the
diversification of Algeria's economy that the Malaysian
team of experts had concluded earlier this year, has
helped Algeria in outlining its economic strategy. This
is only a small contribution that my Government could
offer to a friendly country like Algeria.
5. My visit here, a first by a Malaysian Prime
Minister, is to further reaffirm Malaysia's commitment
to this spirit of friendship and co-operation. Earlier
today, we have had candid and fruitful discussions on
numerous bilateral topics. We must work together to
lift our relations to a new and more meaningful height.
Aside from the existing co-operation that exists
between our two national oil companies, Petronas and
Sonatrach, in the oil and gas industry, we have
identified several other potential sectors in which we
could explore further, including the Information and
Communications Technology (ICT), constructions,
education and tourism.
6. In terms of bilateral trade, I am happy to note that
the statistics of the last few years have shown an upward
trend. Last year, our bilateral trade amounted to
approximately USD 100 million. This figure is marginal and
does not reflect the true potential of our trade. I believe
much more can be done. The private sectors of both our
countries must engage themselves more aggressively and work
on establishing mutually profitable trade ties. Distance
should not be an impediment to better interactions between
people and the business community. Direct trading should
also be encouraged rather than through a third country. I
have in my delegation, key personalities and
representatives of the Malaysian business community who are
keen to meet and discuss with their Algerian counterparts
on a wide-range of business possibilities. The signing of
the Trade Agreement this morning should further facilitate,
strengthen and expand our trade exchange regime.
7. Premised on mutual respect and understanding, the
relations between Malaysia and Algeria have improved by
leaps and bounds. We should now focus on strengthening
these relations. People-to-people contact is equally
important and should be encouraged. Before, we could
say that the news about Malaysia does not reach
Algeria, and vice versa. To improve knowledge about
each other we should initiate news exchange activities.
The signing of the News Exchange Agreement between our
two national news agencies, BERNAMA and Alg.rie Presse
Service (APS), I believe, will contribute positively
towards generating better understanding about each
other, which in turn, will strengthen our all-
encompassing bilateral relations.
8. At the international level, Malaysia and Algeria
have co-operated meaningfully in various fora such as
the UN, NAM, OIC, G-77 and G-15. I wish to take this
opportunity to thank you, Mr. President, for your
presence, support and immense contribution during the
NAM Summit, which my country has had the honour of
hosting last February. I trust that Malaysia can again
continue to count on Algeria's full support and
constructive participation at the upcoming OIC Summit
to be held in October.
9. Muslim countries must unite to defend our image.
The perception of Islam as a religion that promotes
acts of terror should be corrected. Both Malaysia and
Algeria share a common position in the fight against
terrorism. Malaysia continues to believe that a
universally accepted definition of terrorism is vital
to enable the international community to take a
concerted and effective action against terrorism. The
causes of terrorism must also be attended to.
10. Malaysia would like a return to the multilateral
system in achieving world peace through the UN
especially in solving the problem in Iraq. Iraq is
very likely to descend into anarchy unless the United
Nations takes full control. The Iraqis must regain
their independence soonest.
11. On that note, Mr. President, allow me to once
again express my deepest gratitude for the warm
reception and hospitality accorded to my wife and me,
and to members of my delegation. I am sure we will
leave Algeria with many fond memories.
Sumber : Pejabat Perdana Menteri
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