A Russian political scientist and Algerian economist follows for “Sky News Arabia” the messages of the visit of the Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and the meetings and agreements that took place with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, aimed at breaking the shackles of sanctions and the blockade imposed on his country by the United States and most of them Europe.
During the 3-day visit, Putin and Tebboune reached agreements aimed at deepening the “strategic partnership”, as Russia seeks to strengthen its presence in Africa.
compatibility relationship
Algerian economist Mourad Kouachi describes relations between the two countries as being dominated by “a political and diplomatic consensus on various issues relating to the Middle East”.
The value of trade between the two countries is around $3 billion, and Russia is Algeria’s largest arms supplier. As the latter imports 80% of its weapons from Moscow, the two countries also coordinate within the Forum of Gas Exporting Countries and in meetings of the “OPEC Plus” alliance of oil exporting countries, according to Kouachi.
strategic partnership
On the objectives of Tebboune’s visit to Moscow in the current global climate, Mourad Kouachi says:
Algeria wants to develop relations with Moscow politically, militarily and economically, and expects a lot of Russian investment, especially with certain countries that restrict Russian investors. Following the sanctions imposed on their country after the war in Ukraine. Algeria is looking for real partners for profit, as well as food security through projects to increase cereal production. As it seeks to rely on clean energy, Algeria finds a suitable partner in Russia. Because it is one of the largest energy developing countries. The strategic partnership with Moscow is an Algerian objective in the automotive and mining industry.
A multipolar world
Russian political analyst Musallam Shaito agrees with Kouachi on some of the above points, adding:
Algeria is at the side of Russia and wants to raise the level of economic exchanges, and Moscow wants the same thing. Relations between the two countries are strategic; Due to the weight of Algeria in Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. The timing of the visit is significant after Algeria’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, participating in discussions on regional and international issues. Russia is working towards the formation of a multipolar world and is betting that Africa will play an important role in it.
Energy and military cooperation files
At a ceremony in the Kremlin, Putin and Tebboune signed a series of agreements and declarations of intent on “deepening the strategic partnership”.
According to the announcement published on the Kremlin’s website, the two countries pledged to “expand the partnership on technology transfer” and to conduct “joint maneuvers and exercises”, according to the text reported by “The Agency France Press”.
In the field of energy, the two countries pledged to “intensify cooperation in the field of exploration and production of hydrocarbons and refining of oil and gas”.
“Algeria is an important partner for us in the Arab world and in Africa,” Putin said in a statement, stressing that he had had “very fruitful” talks with his Algerian counterpart.
For his part, Tebboune said his meeting with Putin was “frank and friendly”, and discussed many topics with him, including the situation in the desert, the Libyan file, and the conflict between Palestine and Israel.
Algeria and Moscow have enjoyed a distinguished relationship since the former Soviet Union supported the Algerians during France’s war of independence from 1954 to 1962.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has strengthened its relations in Asia, Africa and Latin America, presenting itself as an eminent partner for the countries of these continents, and as an alternative to Moscow’s competitors, in particular the States United and Europe.
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