“We hold that cultural relations are the basis for economic and political relations,” said Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, the Iranian Minister of Culture ad Islamic Guidance on Wednesday while meeting Algeria Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal in Algiers. “Iran and Algeria, as two countries with a shared history of rich culture and civilization, are apt to have broader ties.”
During the meeting, the two ministers stressed on all-out expansion of ties in areas like politics, economy, and culture.
“We are ready to cooperate in areas like cinema, music, culture, and art,” reassured the Iranian minister. “The areas of extensive cooperation are ready however it may be labeled badly or sabotaged.”
Mr. Salehi Amiri boasted the success of Iranian cinema in the world and called for close cooperation for producing joint cinematic works. He recounted that Iran’s ministry of culture and Islamic guidance is responsible for diverse areas of activities like Hajj, devoted properties, Islamic activities, and art and culture. Salehi Amiri quoted President Rouhani saying that in Algeria the wise are ruling the country. He said that President Rouhani is determined to put into practice the bilateral agreements.
The Algerian prime minister, in this meeting, for his part, hailed the expansion of ties and voiced regret that the Islamic World is suffering from a thought inertia. Mr. Sellal said that Saudi Arabia demanded Algeria’s partnership in war against Yemen but Algeria declined the request.
Sellal also voiced hope to have Iran’s help to contribute to the cinema of Algeria whose ‘directors are mostly residing in Europe’. He said that unfortunately the cinema in Europe is dominated by the Jews and the film industry in Algeria is suffering from weak human resources and technique.
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