The agenda covered matters related to promoting strategic cooperation between Russia and Algeria in various sectors, as well as major international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and North Africa.
After a welcome ceremony held in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George Hall, the leaders of the two countries had a conversation, followed by an expanded format meeting.
Following the talks, a package of documents was signed, including the Declaration on Enhanced Strategic Cooperation between Russia and Algeria.
Also signed were the Convention between the Russian Federation and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on Extradition, intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in mass communications, in quarantine and plant protection, and in space exploration and the use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
In addition, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and the Algerian Ministry of Culture and Arts signed a cooperation programme for 2023–2025; the justice ministries of the two countries signed a protocol on cooperation; the related ministries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation on water resources; and the Delovaya Rossiya business association and the Algerian Economic Revival Council signed the Memorandum on Cooperation.
In addition, Vladimir Putin and Abdelmadjid Tebboune gave statements for the media.
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Beginning of the narrow-format Russia-Algeria talks
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends,
Welcome to Russia. We are delighted to see you here.
Our country attaches special importance to its relations with Algeria, which can be described as strategic ties. On our way to this room today, Mr President and I recalled that relations between Russia and Algeria started to take shape and develop back in the mid-1950s. We can say without exaggeration that these were strategic relations even back then.
Over these years, the people of Russia and the heroic and, I would say, courageous people of Algeria, considering the fact that they had to fight for independence for many years and won, have developed a very good relationship. Last year, our two countries marked 60 years of diplomatic ties.
As you know, the USSR has offered its Algerian friends meaningful support in its war for independence. During the first years of independence, the USSR supported Algeria as it emerged as an independent, sovereign state, and helped it develop many sectors of its economy.
Russia-Algeria interaction is truly multifaceted and has a tangible potential for further development. Mr President, following our talks we will sign a declaration on deepening strategic partnership between Russia and Algeria, which will launch a new, more advanced stage in our bilateral relations.
Regular political dialogue is playing an important role. You and I are practically always in touch, our colleagues are also working — the Foreign Minister [Sergei Lavrov], the Security Council Secretary [Nikolai Patrushev], and Speaker of the Russian Parliament’s upper chamber Valentina Matviyenko. The Intergovernmental Commission is operating.
Algeria is among Russia’s top three trading partners in Africa. As far as I know, yesterday you must have attended the Russia—Algeria business forum. I hope that there will be increasing interest from both sides in such events. Looking ahead, I would like to say that we will be happy to see you at the second Russia-Africa Summit in St Petersburg in late July.
I would also like to note that Russia-Algeria coordination at multilateral forums and organisations is at a good level as well. Our efforts in OPEC Plus and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum are facilitating stabilisation of the global energy markets.
We continue our constructive cooperation at other venues, in particular, the UN. I hope that with Algeria’s election as a Security Council member for 2024–2025, our interaction will only become stronger.
Our humanitarian ties are making headway. Yesterday’s opening of a square named after Algeria’s national hero Emir Abdelkader in the centre of Moscow was also timed to coincide with your visit. This square will become another good, striking symbol of strong Russia-Algeria friendship.
Welcome, Mr President.
President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Abdelmadjid Tebboune (retranslated): Let me express my deep satisfaction with this meeting. Thank you very much for your hospitality. This is evidence of the depth of friendship that exists between Algeria and the Russian Federation.
Our relations have never changed for the past 60 years, with Algeria always supporting Russia. Today, foreign states may bring pressure to bear on us, but this can never affect our relations.
First, we should preserve our independence, and this is possible thanks to support from the Russian Federation that supplies us with weapons so that we can preserve our independence in this challenging environment.
We should exchange views under all circumstances. We should always be in contact and address all items of interest.
Before we get to a detailed discussion of all these matters, let me congratulate you on your national holiday, Russian Federation Day, June 12.
As for the main items that we must address, Russia, as you know, has always helped Algeria, and now we are a member of the UN Security Council – thanks to the friendly Russian Federation.
We have almost agreed – even before we started the talks – on all items related to the international situation, a very tense situation, as you know. It is necessary to accelerate the process of Algeria joining the BRICS group so that we no longer accept dollars and euros. This will be to Algeria’s benefit. God grant!
As for the geopolitical situation and relations, we must touch on the Libya issue. Libya is a friend to Russia and Algeria, and therefore we are always eager for stability in that country.
Where the Sahel region is concerned, we support relations between Mali and the Russian Federation. Mali neighbours our country. We should negotiate and discuss all issues under any circumstances. We have an instrument known as the Algiers Agreement.
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