H.E. Mr. Ahmed Boutache Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

H. E. Mr. Ahmed Butash was born on March 7, 1953.  He graduated in Diplomacy from the National School of State Administration.
Head of section Bilateral Relations at the Legal Affairs and Agreements Directorate   (1977–1979), head of  section Legal and Administrative Multilateral Agreements at the International Political Relations Directorate (1979–1980), head of  the USA section at the Europe and North America Directorate (1986–1987) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Has worked in the Embassy in Washington (1980–1986). Deputy Head of the North America section (1987–1988) and the East Asia section at the Asia and Latin America Directorate (1988–1992). Charge d’affaires (1992–1994) and Ambassador (1996–2004) in Seoul. Head of East Oceania section at Asia and Oceania Directorate (1994–1996). Chief expert at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2004–2005). Director of welcoming ceremonies and official residencies at the Presidency of the Republic (2005).
International awards and recognitions.
Fluent in French, English and Arabic.
Married, with one child.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Bulgaria since June 2009.

If they knew about Varna and other resorts in the country, the quality of the services and the interesting prices, I’m sure the Algerians would come here on vacation

Your Excellency, traditionally Bulgaria and Algeria have always had very good political and economic relations, ties of friendship and cooperation. How would you assess the state of the bilateral relations today?
Algeria and Bulgaria have always maintained excellent friendly relations and very substantial cooperation. We remember pretty well all the assistance provided for us by Bulgaria during our independence war. Bulgarians have really done a lot and since then our friendship has grown up steadily and substantially. But as you all know what happened in 1989 with the demolition of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent important changes in the international relations, Bulgaria has been busy with the efforts to join the EU, to join NATO, to move from a socialist economy to a market economy, etc. and Algeria has been also busy adjusting to the new changes in the international relations both politically and economically and had also unfortunately to go through a very hard situation; almost 7–8 years during which we had to fight against terrorism in Algeria. But fortunately enough this is now behind us. So during this period, I should say about 15 years or so, the relations between Algeria and Bulgaria have been stagnant. There has been no significant development. So this ended up in the cooperation going really down, the trade volume is very modest – roughly about 80 million dollars, which is nothing if we take into consideration the potential existing both in Bulgaria and Algeria. The investments are almost inexistent except some very small ones. So, since I came here I have undertaken several actions. I have been knocking on each and every door to explain to the Bulgarian politicians that it is high time for our two countries to resume the cooperation, to strengthen it because both of them will really gain from this cooperation. Bulgaria is now in the EU, even though it is still in the process of integration, and I think that a great deal of progress has been made in terms of economic development. Algeria is politically very stable and economically doing well.

In Algeria the economic situation is really good because the country has not been fragilized by the international economic and financial crisis. The macroeconomic fundamentals are pretty good. We have, for instance, roughly about two hundred million euro of exchange reserves, we have a program, a 5-year development plan for about 160 million euro with our own resources. The foreign debt of Algeria is merely 500 million dollars. We can pay it easily in no time! This is to say that the fundamentals of our economy are really good and as I mentioned, in the 5-year economic plan several projects – highways, dams, public infrastructures like hospitals, schools and so on – will be realized. We also have a housing program for 1 million apartments. So I think that there is really room for the Bulgarian economy to intervene and to do business and I hope they will come to realize that they have opportunities to develop their business in Algeria.

To explain to our Bulgarian friends here this situation and to bring to the attention the fact that many things can be done between Bulgaria and Algeria in terms of economic cooperation and not only economic but also cultural, scientific cooperation, I have been visiting several high ranking officials. For instance, yesterday I met Mr. Tsvetanov, deputy prime minister and interior minister. I really appreciate what he said in terms of readiness and willingness of the Bulgarian government to work for the development of cooperation between Algeria and Bulgaria. And in order to provide more information to the Bulgarian citizens, to the Bulgarian businessmen, to the Bulgarian politicians I am going to create soon a website for the Embassy and I will also be giving some seminars and conferences. One of them will be with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; I have already discussed this matter with the president of the chamber. We have also discussed about concluding a cooperation agreement between the Algerian Chamber and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and about creating a bilateral businessmen forum which will allow businessmen from both countries to get together, to discuss business opportunities and work together.

We are aware that this year the Algerian government has undertaken measures in order to react adequately to the consequences of the crisis, especially concerning the sphere of foreign partnership and investments.
Algeria, like many other countries, had to adjust to the new environment that has been created by globalization. We had to move from one-party system to multiparty system and democracy, and we had also, of course, to move from socialist economy to market economy. In this period we have adopted many laws in order to encourage partnership and investments. We have adopted an investment code back in 1986, which has been modified a couple of times to create the most attractive business and investment climate. But lately we found out that this investment law and the foreign trade law are taken advantage of to a very large extent by foreign companies, which ended up in mainly doing business but investing very little if any to create productive infrastructures. And we ended up in a situation where most of our exports earnings are spent to pay for our imports, which means that our production infrastructures did not produce what is needed in the market to favour the development of the economy. In view of these facts, the government decided to make the necessary corrections. Number one: to make sure that the investment law is benefiting the Algerian economy and is helping to substitute production to import. We need to reduce substantially our import, which means that we have to produce locally all kinds of products – medicines, food, cars, etc. On the other hand, we found out also that in terms of foreign trade many companies have been engaging in fraudulent activities. They have not been paying what they needed to pay in terms of taxes on their revenues, so it was decided also in the field of foreign trade to make the necessary corrections to make sure that this business is taking place in conformity with the laws and that there is no fraud. Because, as you know, when there is fraud the money coming from fraud will be used by organized crime, will be used to finance terrorism, will be used for many other unlawful activities. So one needs to stop that. This is why in the complementary financial law of 2009, which has been adopted in July, our government has introduced some measures to bring the necessary corrections both in the investment law and in the foreign trade.

What, in your opinion, are the ways to stimulate contacts between the small and medium-sized businesses in the two countries?
I think that small business is fundamental for each country and for every economy because small and medium-sized businesses are the ones which allow the creation of jobs. And jobs are needed to combat unemployment. In my country, for instance, unemployment is pretty high. It stands at roughly 12%. So, in order to develop the small and medium-sized business what we need is first of all to help companies from both countries establish contacts. Number two is to set up some sort of framework to encourage them to work together – both in Bulgaria and in Algeria. Cooperation is not a one-way street, cooperation goes both ways, it has to benefit both countries. We need to create a legal framework, which means that we need to sign some agreements to make these companies feel comfortable in investing and creating opportunities for jobs. This is why I have been contacting here some companies and I’m going to meet very soon the chairman of the Bulgarian Business Association in order to discuss what we should do concretely to promote the relations between SMEs. I also had a meeting with the economy, energy and tourism minister to discuss this matter and we agreed that what we need first of all is to finalize some agreements which have been under discussion for some time, especially the amendment of the bilateral agreement on reciprocal promotion and protection of investments.

Algeria is the third biggest gas supplier for the EU. Do you think the energy sector could be a priority in our bilateral cooperation?
Algeria is, as you know, an oil and gas exporter. Algeria is the number two country in terms of LNG production and supply. Many of our customers are Europeans, we supply also energy to the US. As a matter of fact, in terms of volume, the US is maybe our first customer. We export energy through pipelines as well. We have eight pipelines coming from Algeria through Tunisia and Morocco, through Morocco to Spain and Portugal and some other European countries, and through Tunisia and the Mediterranean Sea to Italy and other countries – France, Germany and so on. So these countries are good clients for us and we have been supplying them with energy products for several years now. We have proven to be a reliable partner and a reliable source. And I know that there is an opportunity for Algeria and Bulgaria to work together in the field of energy. When the energy crisis took place in the beginning of 2009 the gas that was shipped to Bulgaria to help solve the crisis came from Algeria through Greece. So I have approached Madam Tosheva, executive director of the Bulgarian Energy Holding and we discussed very seriously about establishing preliminary contact between herself and the Algerian relevant people to discuss cooperation in the field of energy, and I believe that the exchange of visits will take place in the very near future, probably early next year. This possibility of cooperation in the field of energy has also been discussed with the minister of economy, energy and tourism.

Tourism is one of Bulgaria’s priority sectors. Do you think Algerian people would find Bulgaria an attractive tourist destination and vice versa?
Algeria is not a very well-known or a major tourist destination. The reason is very simple – for many years until we moved from socialist economy to market economy tourism was neglected. We have built huge resorts and hotels but they have been mainly used by Algerian people. We have not been targeting foreign tourists but lately we have changed this attitude and we have established a new policy and a new strategy to encourage tourism. We have several tour operators who organize tours for Algerian people to many countries, so I think for the time being Bulgaria is not known to the Algerian people as a very interesting tourist destination. If they knew about Varna and other resorts in the country and the quality of the services, the interesting prices, I’m sure that they would come. I do believe that in this field what we need to do is probably help establish contacts between tour operators. Especially in summertime, we have at least 5 million people going overseas on vacation and now the main countries to benefit from this situation is Tunisia and some European countries.

What are the Embassy’s plans in the sphere of cultural and educational cooperation? Have you scheduled any particular cultural events?
In the field of culture, education and scientific cooperation I have also sought to establish preliminary contacts, so I met with the president of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and I will soon approach the new minister of education and also the ministers of culture and sports. I’ll try to achieve at least one small thing in the near future. As you know, Algeria has qualified for the World Cup in South Africa and I’m looking at the possibility of bringing our team for a friendly soccer match. I think that this will help create some conducive climate for our friendship to re-emerge again and for our cooperation to be restarted.

I must say that unfortunately the Embassy is not planning any specific cultural events for the time being, maybe partly due to the fact that we have not yet implemented the cultural program that has been signed in 2006. Hopefully during the coming year 2010 we will have the Joint Economic Cooperation Committee take place here in Sofia and on that occasion we will certainly establish a cultural program for cooperation between the two countries. I’m pretty confident that some important actions will be taken, especially in view of the fact that many experts are saying that the economic and financial situation will start to improve next year and this will pave the way for an enhanced cultural cooperation.

How do you and your family feel in Bulgaria?
I do feel very well, I’m enjoying myself. I consider that I have not yet completely settled down. First of all because on the personal side I’m still doing some renovations and restorations of the residence and the office. On the other hand, professionally speaking, I have arrived in Sofia at a time when you had fundamental political changes. Last July you had the parliamentary elections, subsequently you had a new government, the new government has come up with new and innovative policies and programs and, of course, I’m following very closely and observing all that is going on domestically both in the economic and political field. And I do believe that what we have already seen in terms of economic and political changes are an indication that one must be really hopeful for the future of this country.

My family is also settling down progressively. You know that in Sofia there is a very active diplomatic and social life. Every day something is happening. This keeps us very busy. For instance, right now my wife is preparing for the Charity Bazaar (an annual charity initiative of the International Women’s Club with the participation of the diplomatic missions accredited to Bulgaria, editor’s note) which is taking place next Sunday. Every day there are activities, there are meetings, there are social functions, which keeps the diplomats stationed in Sofia pretty busy.

Have you had the time to travel and visit any destinations in Bulgaria yet?
So far I have visited Varna. I drove myself from Sofia to Varna and back. I liked the city very much, I went just over the weekend and I found that it is very good to travel in Bulgaria because when I arrived I was told that the roads were not so good. But frankly speaking that’s not so true. I found that Bulgarian people are very careful when they drive. And I enjoyed very much the trip I made to Varna. I also went to Velingrad for one day and I liked the city very much, and I went also to Pavel Banya and the Rose Festival in Karlovo. But I’m sure that I’ll go and explore the country, because many colleagues are saying that it is worth discovering and enjoying Bulgaria.

Do you have any personal interests or hobbies?
My hobby is martial arts. I have spent several years of my life in Seoul in South Korea as ambassador and I have taken advantage of my mission there to learn martial arts, especially taekwondo. So I would like very much to be able to practice here, which I will start doing pretty soon and I like to practice sports. I usually do these activities four or five times a week. Since I came to Sofia I have been too busy to find the time to exercise but I will definitely do it. Some friends have tried to induce me to try golf. I used to have a very wrong idea about golf but I found out it is pretty interesting. It’s not too bad but I prefer martial arts and regular exercise. Maybe I will also try to learn to ski because my son loves this sport.