The construction of a new Embassy building in Algiers is testament to the commitment of the British Government to consolidate its position in Algeria and reinforce the bilateral relationship between our two countries.
The inauguration of the Embassy by a personality as important as HRH The Duke Of York, the United Kingdom Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, is a demonstration of the importance that the UK accords to its relationship with Algeria. We hope to create a modern relationship based on mutual trust between the two governments and peoples, which reflects the long-standing diplomatic and commercial relationship which has existed since Queen Elizabeth I sent the first British envoy to Algiers in 1580.
The UK is one of the largest investors in Algeria, with investments totalling more than £30 billion (over $45 billion). Today, hundreds of British companies operate in diverse sectors of the Algerian economy such as education, consumer products, infrastructure projects and petroleum companies.
The British Embassy works together with many Algerian Government ministries on projects. For example: with the Ministry of Justice on development of the Algerian penal system. The Embassy has also organised training for journalists and planted 3.5 ha of indigenous trees in a protected area around Tinerkouk in conjunction with the Foundation Desert du Monde.
It is also worth mentioning the ongoing bilateral co-operation between the UK and Algeria in the campaign against terrorism. Our two peoples have both suffered from terrorism and our governments have committed to working together to put an end to this continuing menace.
The completion of the new Embassy building is only one of a series of important recent developments including: the opening of the British Council (the British cultural centre) on 16 October 2007 followed by the launch of activities such as training the trainers of English nation-wide.
On 9 December 2007, we also returned the visa service to Algiers, which eliminated the need of Algerians to go to Tunis to submit their visa applications, and made it easier for people to travel between our two countries.