CHAPTER ONE: THE APR PROCESS AND ITS LAUNCH IN ALGERIA to undertake the broadest possible consultations with all stakeholders in order to give more detail and substance to the self-assessment report; to review the draft PoA submitted by the country and table appropriate proposals; to ensure, as far as possible, that the review process carried out by Algeria was technically satisfactory, credible and free of all political manipulation; and to establish consensus with stakeholders on the remaining issues and challenges, as well as recommendations that might improve governance in the country. 1.1.4 Activities carried out during the review exercise 30. The CRM was assisted by the NGC and the APR Focal Point in Algeria and the APR Secretariat in South Africa. During its visit, the CRM met a broad range of stakeholders at forums, workshops, dinner debates and in personal interviews. 31. During a five-hour audience with His Excellency Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the People‟s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mme MarieAngélique Savané paid tribute to the manifest commitment of Algerian leaders to the APR process. She then gave an overview of the key and nascent issues in the Algerian CSAR. President Bouteflika assured the CRM that Algeria would be a glasshouse, emphasising his personal commitment and that of the Algerian authorities to guaranteeing that the mission was conducted in the fullest transparency. He urged the CRM to demonstrate professionalism and objectivity in carrying out its affairs. 32. The CRM was also received by His Excellency Mr Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Head of Government, at the start and conclusion of the visit. Mr Belkhadem reiterated the importance the Algerian government attached to the promotion of good governance in all sectors of the political, economic and social life of the country, as well as its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the APRM to which Algeria had acceded voluntarily. He recorded his appreciation of the concept of the APRM and underscored Algeria‟s commitment to implementing the findings of the CRM. 33. In the course of its visit, the CRM met a large number of the stakeholders both in Algiers and in the provinces (wilayas) of the country. In particular, it held working sessions with the APR Focal Point, NGC, civil society organisations including the media, universities, religious organisations, labour unions, youth and women‟s organisations, leaders of political parties (both the majority party and the opposition), disadvantaged groups, associations for the protection of human rights, the disabled, rural communities and groups of economic operators. 36