Today, Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the city of Oran (west of the country), before returning to the Algerian capital on the last day of a 3-day visit to Algeria.
Today, Saturday, the French President and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, signed a declaration for a "renewed partnership", and the Algerian president said - during a press conference after signing the declaration in the protocol hall at Houari Boumediene Airport - "The successful visit allowed a rapprochement that would not have been possible without the personality of President Macron." We also agreed on a future of mutual interest.
Algeria's declaration of a "renewed partnership" states the two countries' desire to "open a new era" and adopt a "concrete and constructive approach focusing on future projects and youth."
It also stated that the "new privileged partnership" had become "a requirement dictated by the escalation of volatility and the exacerbation of regional and international tensions."
It was also stated that it "provides a framework for developing a common vision and close coordination to address new global challenges (global and regional crises, climate change, biodiversity conservation, digital revolution and health)".
Paris and Algeria will establish a "Higher Cooperation Council" at the level of the two presidents in order to "strengthen their political consultations."
Macron had denied that France had come to “beg” gas from Algeria, as stated in some media comments, because “France relies a little on gas for its energy needs, or about 20%, and in total Algeria represents between 8 and 9% of it.” ".
"We are not in a situation where Algerian gas can change the data," he added, noting that France "guaranteed its needs" for the winter and "stocks are within 90%."
Algeria also announced an increase in its gas shipments to Italy, which became its first supplier before Russia, after the Ukraine war.
Algeria is the first gas exporter in Africa, and supplies Europe with about 11% of its needs.
And the importance of relations with Algeria increased for France;
The war in Ukraine led to an increase in European demand for North African gas, and because of the increased migration across the Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, Algeria is seeking to take advantage of high energy prices to attract European investment.
Macron, on his second visit to Algeria in 5 years, is accompanied by a delegation of 90 personalities, including ministers, businessmen and intellectuals specializing in the history of the two countries.
The surroundings of the French president say that it is a visit aimed at young people, and aims to overcome the estrangement and tension that prevailed between the two countries about a year ago due to controversial issues between the two countries, such as the memory file related to the period of French colonialism in Algeria (1830-1962), and others.