Cape Town — The health ministers of Algeria and South Africa met in Pretoria on Tuesday to discuss areas of co- operation between the two countries.

Algerian Health and Population Minister, Mohamed-Larbi Abdelmoumene, told Manto Tshabalala-Msimang that his country was looking forward to exploring joint ventures with South African pharmaceutical companies.

During his two-day visit to South Africa, the Algerian delegation met with different pharmaceutical companies that showed interest in exploring the Algerian pharmaceutical market.

Algeria, which has a low number of HIV/AIDS cases, offered to support South Africa's position on HIV/AIDS, especially in negotiating the reduction of drug prices.

Tshabalala-Msimang said South Africa would work with Algeria in a working group on the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, which was developed by World Health Organisation member states.

The two ministers also expressed commitment to co-operate in the field of human resource development.

While a co-operative agreement would be signed after a reciprocal visit to Algeria by Tshabalala-Msimang, other areas of co-operation such as the exchange of information will begin to operate immediately.