Qatar and Algeria have signed eight cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding in several fields, including marine transportation, oil and gas exploration and the petrochemical industry. The two will also cooperate in building an iron and steel works in Plara, eastern Algeria.

The signing ceremony was attended by Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika; the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; the Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor.

President Bouteflika held a closed meeting with the Emir when the latter arrived in Algiers on Monday for an official visit. They discussed the latest developments in the Arab world, especially the Syrian crisis and the Palestinian issue, as well as ways to enhance cooperation between their countries. Sheikh Hamad stressed that his visit to Algeria expresses the keenness of the leadership of the two countries to "consult and exchange opinions" about international affairs.

In a press release, the Emir of Qatar stressed that he wished to support and strengthen the "fraternal, strong relations" with Algeria in various fields for the benefit of their common interests.