Italy and Algeria strengthen their cooperation through new business and security deals

An intergovernmental meeting held in Rome on Tuesday saw Italy and Algeria agree to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and migration, and companies sign deals in energy and telecommunications sectors.

After a visit to Algiers in March by Antonio Tajani, the Italian Foreign Minister Giorgia Melons met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Meloni said at a press conference that followed the meeting, "Our bilateral relationships have reached an intensity and solidity never before achieved."

Meloni’s government stated that Algeria was Rome’s top trading partner in Africa with a trade value of almost 14 billion euro ($16,4 billion), while Italian investments totalled 8.5 billion euro.

"I am confident in the results of this summit. "The agreements we signed are a blueprint for a strategic partnership that is a reflection of the depth of our relationship," said Algerian President Tebboune.

There are 13 agreements signed between Italy and Algeria. One of them is on combating terrorism and financing. The countries did not specify which threats they were focusing on.

Both nations also agreed to coordinate search and rescue efforts for migrants who try to make the dangerous crossing by sea from North Africa into Europe. Meloni’s right-wing coalition was elected to power in 2022 with a mandate of reducing migrant arrivals.

Business Ties

Eni, the Italian energy company, signed this month a $1.3 billion production-sharing contract with Sonatrach to explore and develop hydrocarbons.

The two companies also signed an agreement to further strengthen their collaboration on the sidelines.

Meloni, a reporter, said: "We are extremely satisfied with the cooperation between Eni Sonatrach and their counterparts. It will only become stronger."

Eni purchases gas from Sonatrach through a long-term agreement that has made this north African nation one of Italy's main fuel suppliers after Rome severed its ties with Russia’s Gazprom in response to Moscow's invasion into Ukraine.

Separately, Sparkle Submarine Cable Company (TIM), a unit of Telecom Italia will be sold this year to a consortium headed by Italy's Treasury.

Sparkle has signed a preliminary agreement for a new submarine cable that will connect the two countries.

The Foreign Minister Tajani stated that Algeria is a strategic partnership and that he was working to strengthen and diversify this relationship. He made the statement during a speech given at a forum of over 400 businesses from both nations. (Reporting and Additional Reporting by Tarek Amara, Editing by Toby Chopra & Keith Weir.)

(source: Reuters)