Moscow, 1 February 2023 (TDI): According to the Foreign Ministry of Russia, President Vladimir Putin and Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the President of Algeria, spoke over the phone on Tuesday.
Putin and Tebboune reaffirmed their preparedness for further collaborative cooperation on the global energy market, particularly within OPEC plus and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
They discussed bilateral relations between the two nations. According to this office, Algerian President intends to visit Russia in May 2023.
Algeria, Russia Discuss Industrial, Economic, and Energy Cooperation
According to the media, Algerian Minister of Industry, Ahmed Zaghdar met with Russian Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, Vasily Osmakov at the Ministry’s headquarters in Algiers yesterday.
They discussed enhancing bilateral industrial and economic cooperation, especially in the mechanical, pharmaceutical, and railway sectors.
The officials expressed their countries’ desire to strengthen bilateral economic connections, particularly in the industrial sector. Zaghdar discussed Algeria’s newly enacted investment law.
He emphasized the benefits and incentives it offers to promote the creation of both domestic and foreign enterprises. While Osmakov on his part said that several Russian institutions seek productive ties with Algeria.
Russia – Algeria Ties
Since the late 19th century, Algeria and Russia have maintained diplomatic ties. Algeria received substantial military and economic aid from the USSR throughout the Soviet era.
However, cooperation and disengagement have alternated in the two nations’ relationship. They have revived due to political, economic, and security concerns.
Algeria and Russia share equal political beliefs on national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and counterbalancing Western influence. As a result of their similar outlooks, the two countries have collaborated more in the global arena.
They are working together to combat issues like terrorism, extremism, and organized crime. Significant trade and investment flows have characterized Algeria’s economic connections with Russia.
Russia is an important energy supplier to Algeria, including oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuel. Algeria is one of Russia’s most significant African trading partners.
The two nations have sought to increase economic cooperation in recent years, especially in infrastructure development, transportation, and energy.
According to official Algerian statistics, Algeria is Russia’s second-largest African commercial partner, with a trading volume of about $3 billion in 2021.
The growing security threat posed by terrorism and extremism in North Africa and the Sahel region is one of the primary reasons for the current revival of interest in deepening ties between Algeria and Russia.
In this regard, Russia has offered to help Algeria strengthen its security and defense capacities, notably by providing military hardware, instruction, and technical support.
Moreover, Algeria is the world’s third-largest importer of Russian weapons. Moscow is the principal donor to the Algerian army, providing more than half of its equipment.
Algeria and Russia have long developed a solid alliance in the energy industry. The two nations constantly look for new methods to increase cooperation in the world energy market.
Both countries are major players in the global energy market. Their cooperation on the energy market has significant ramifications for the stability of the energy market, energy security, and global energy prices.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC +), of which Algeria and Russia are both members, is one of the primary forums for this partnership.
OPEC + is a group of oil-producing countries coordinating their oil production plans and keeping oil prices constant.
Algeria and Russia’s collaboration within this organization has ensured global oil market stability and predictability. Their combined efforts have had a favorable impact on global energy prices.
Their cooperation with OPEC Plus has been crucial in lowering oil production to control oversupply and support oil prices.
Another platform for their cooperation is the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), a collection of major gas-producing nations cooperating to support stability and expansion in the international gas market.
Principal participants in the GECF, Algeria, and Russia have utilized it to coordinate their gas policy and advance their objectives on the global gas market. Algeria and Russia have increased their gas market share and negotiating power by working together.
Algeria and Russia have recently looked into new areas of collaboration as they have grown their energy alliance. The two nations have been collaborating on creating novel gas technologies and constructing gas infrastructure.
Russia has assisted Algeria in building its natural gas business by supplying equipment and technical support. Algeria has supported Russia’s increase in its gas exports by granting Russia access to its energy infrastructure.
Additionally, cooperation between Algeria and Russia has advanced their ties in developing alternative energy sources like solar and wind power.
This collaboration is motivated by the growing need for clean and sustainable energy sources and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Russia has helped Algeria build its renewable energy capacity by providing technical support and equipment. In contrast, Algeria has equipped Russia with energy infrastructure to boost its energy sector.
Obstacles in Relations
Despite their numerous shared interests, Algeria and Russia face significant obstacles that could complicate their partnership.
Russia’s support for North Caucasus separatists and intervention in Ukraine has prompted concerns in Algeria and other African nations about its commitment to state sovereignty.
However, Algeria’s close links to Western nations like France and the United States have raised questions in Russia about the country’s allegiance to the West.
