Berlin - Chancellor Angela Merkel is to visit Algeria next week at the head of a German business delegation, her spokesman announced Friday.

During her visit to Algiers on Wednesday and Thursday, Merkel is to hold talks with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The chancellor would also address the German-Algerian Chamber of Commerce in Algiers, spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said.

The visit follows the launch of a new initiative on a European Union-Mediterranean union to be launched by French President Nicolas Sarkozy this weekend in Paris.

Merkel is one of 44 heads of state and government attending the event. (dpa)