The MoC aims to strengthen relations between the two nations through sport, including the exchange of knowledge on athlete preparation, healthcare, the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and hosting sport events.

It also includes the possibilities for the exchange of experience between athletes and coaches, joint sessions in training camps and competitions' participation.

Cooperation within the Sport for All projects, as well as in doping-prevention programmes, is also planned.

"Algeria is proud of [an] amazing victorious tradition in athletics, boxing, judo, football and numerous other sports," said NOCU President Sergey Bubka, a member of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee and vice-president of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

"Ukraine is ready to cooperate including National Federations into the process

"Ukraine NOC is eager to share our achievements for unique projects of promotion of the Olympic Movement into everyday life.

"The activities like 'Olympic Lesson', 'Olympic Stork', 'Sport heroes of the Year' and many others are useful for our colleagues.

"We can also share the experience of operating the network of the NOC regional departments and cooperation with National Federations."

Bubka was joined in the signing ceremony at NOCU headquarters in Kyiv by AOC President Mustapha Berraf, along with AOC vice-president Ammar Bouras and secretary general Djamel Aouchiche.

Taoufik Makhloufi was Algeria's sole gold medal winner at the London 2012 Olympic Games ©Getty Images



The AOC outlined details of its Olympic Camp project for young elite athletes and explained the work of its Olympic Academy in the promotion of sport and a healthy lifestyle among its youth population.

"It is a great honour for us to establish this long-term effective cooperation with our colleagues from Ukraine," said Berraf.

"Your country is one of world's sport great nations, while Ukraine NOC is well known for its activity in promotion of sports.

"Seventy per cent of Algeria's 40 million population are young people.

"It is a good objective for us to use your experience, as well as Ukraine's coaches' knowledge, for athletes' preparation.

"Algeria has good sport potential but we feel lack of high-skilled coaches in many sports."

Berraf added: "We developed a detailed programme of cooperation.

"We also clearly declare the support of Ukraine and its Olympic Movement.

"I admire [the] great sport traditions of Ukraine and personally Sergey Bubka; the nation's charismatic hero and a true example of humanism and bringing the Olympic ideals to life.

"I wish Ukraine and its people all the best."

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