Algeria/EU wishes to develop its energy partnership with Algeria

The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell said Monday in Algiers that the EU wished to develop its energy partnership as well as its security cooperation with Algeria.

About "90% of Algerian gas exports go to Europe, and we know we can count on Algeria as a reliable partner and it has been in difficult times," said Borrell. Borrell said after a meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The EU wants to develop this partnership "looking to the future, focusing on European investment in the renewable energy sector.

Algeria is the first African exporter of natural gas. Anxious to diversify their supplies to reduce their dependence on Russian hydrocarbons, several European countries - including Italy - have turned to Algerian gas.

Referring to the conflict in Ukraine, Mr. Borrell invited Algeria "to join the efforts to stop this unjustifiable war and mitigate its economic and human impact on the world.

Algeria has long maintained privileged relations with Moscow, where Mr. Tebboune will make a state visit in May.

In addition, Algiers decided in February to reopen its embassy in Kiev, closed since the Russian invasion.

Borrell also announced that the EU and Algeria had agreed to "relaunch our high-level dialogue on security.

"The first meetings will be held before the end of the year. This proves that Algeria is a trusted partner and a key player in the fight against terrorism in our common neighborhood," he said.

"You have a huge history of fighting terrorism and we want to develop a comprehensive and strategic vision of these threats, old and new, coordinate and support each other's security actions, and join our efforts to strengthen the stability of our environment and our common neighborhood, and I am thinking in particular of the Sahel, "he added.

Regarding trade relations between the EU and Algeria, Borrell said that both sides can "do better" and should begin by finding a solution including "the barriers introduced since June 2022 (by Algeria) to trade with Spain.

Algeria suspended in early June a cooperation treaty with Spain in reaction to Madrid's decision to support the autonomy plan of Morocco, its regional rival, for the Western Sahara.

Source: www.lorientlejour.com