Algerian Foreign Minister Mohamed Bedjaoui here on Thursday held discussions with visiting General Raymond Henault, chairman of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee.

The visit is "an opportunity to better understand the needs, the worries, the challenges and the culture" of the Algerian people, Henault told press at the end of their meeting.

The discussions with Algerian foreign minister provides a "better insight into the important relationship which exists between Algeria and NATO within the framework of the Mediterranean Dialogue," he added.

Launched in 1994, the Mediterranean Dialogue has the objective of reinforcing practical cooperation in security and defense as well as intelligence sharing, emergency response and sciences.

This mechanism currently brings together NATO member countries and seven countries situated within the Mediterranean region.

Henault has held discussions with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem and the army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah respectively.

Source: Xinhua