Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday began a three-day visit to Portugal where he was due to sign bilateral trade and cooperation agreements. Bouteflika and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates were to seal accords on defense, tourism and air transport on Tuesday. Socrates last week was in Morocco where he secured trade deals as part of his policy of expanding business with North Africa. Algeria is a major supplier of oil and natural gas to Portugal. Bouteflika was due to meet Monday with Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio and Lisbon Mayor Pedro Santana Lopes. On Wednesday, he was to travel to the northern industrial city of Porto, The Associated Press reported.
