Blinken visits Algiers to discuss Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is welcomed in Algiers by his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, March 30, 2022. AFP - JACQUELYN MARTIN
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a visit to Algeria on Wednesday March 30, completing a regional tour in this Russian ally country.
Arrived from Morocco where he stopped on Tuesday as part of his tour, Blinken spoke in Algiers with his counterpart Ramtane Lamamra before being received by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
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Discussions in Algiers relate, among other things, to the possibility of increasing the production of Algerian gas.
The discussions also concern “
regional security
” in particular in the Sahel, “
trade cooperation as well as the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms
”, had indicated the American State Department.
The visit comes as relations between Morocco and Algeria are at their lowest level in decades due to the Western Sahara conflict.
Washington had reiterated its position on the Sahara just before Blinken's tour, namely: Washington's support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco to resolve this conflict.
The head of American diplomacy will try to convince Algiers to reopen the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline carrying Algerian gas to Spain by transiting through Morocco.
This gas pipeline has been closed since last October and
Algeria does not seem ready to use it again
.
During a recent visit by US Under-Secretary of State Wendy Sherman to Algiers, the authorities dismissed her.
Algeria is not technically ready either to increase its gas production.
Moreover, it is a sensitive issue that could jeopardize its relations with Russia.
It is currently under pressure from all sides to increase its gas production in order to reduce the European Union's dependence on Russian gas.
Thank you, President @TebbouneAmadjid, for welcoming me back to Algiers.
I appreciated the opportunity to discuss broadening the strong US-Algeria relationship and ways to expand our growing security, economic, and educational ties.
pic.twitter.com/0XWSyQZP2I
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 30, 2022
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To read: Western Sahara and energy at the heart of Blinken's visit to Rabat and Algiers
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United States
Russia
Energies
Abdelmadjid Tebboune