The Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs phoned on Wednesday, April 29, his American counterpart, Antony Blinken. Discussions focused on «ways to revitalize and strengthen the strategic partnership between Algeria and the United States in various fields, as well as to exchange views on regional issues of common interest, particularly the situation in Western Sahara, Libya and Mali», wrote Sabri Boukadoum on Twitter. This phone call comes a week after the UN Security Council meeting devoted to the examination of the regional dispute. The meeting was marked by the rejection of an American proposal, calling on the parties to adopt a «constructive» attitude and «to avoid escalation». Some Moroccan officials did not appreciate the initiative. Mohamed Saleh Tamek, director general of the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR), a former sheikh who participated to the process of identifying voters in the referendum said he was «disappointed» with the position of the United States during the meeting of the UN executive body. The talks between Blinken and Boukadoum were preceded by the proposal of President Joe Biden of Ms. Elizabeth Moore Aubin as Ambassador to Algeria. Since Biden took office, the only official contact between his administration and Morocco is the discussion between John Kerry and Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of the virtual meeting «Climate and Development», held on Wednesday 31 March in the UK.
