ALGIERS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Algeria and the United States on Thursday have ratified a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal and counter-terrorism matters.
The treaty's documents were ratified by Secretary General at the Algerian Foreign Ministry, Hassane Rabehi, and U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, Joan Polaschik. The treaty was signed in April 2015.
"The Treaty between Algerian and the U.S. on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, sealed on 7 April 2015, has just come into force," Rabehi told reporters, adding that "Algeria welcomes this major asset that strengthens the legal framework of cooperation between the two countries."
"Beyond its political significance in our relation with this strategic partner, the treaty reflects both governments' willingness to provide strong and excellent collaboration, particularly in the fight against terrorism and all forms of criminality, with required legal framework that has been lacking so far," he specified.
U.S. Ambassador to Algeria noted that "the ratification of this treaty represents another step forward in the development of strong bilateral partnership between the United States and Algeria, mostly in terms of the fight against terrorism, organized crime and drug trafficking, as it enables justice departments in both countries to directly and efficiently communicate.
