Diplomacy: New Algerian ambassador to Germany, take a look into bilateral relations

By: Hana Saada

ALGIERS- The German Government has given its approval to the appointment of Mr. Larbi El Hadj Ali, as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Federal Republic of Germany, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad.

“The German Government has given its approval to the appointment of Mr. Larbi El Hadj Ali, as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Federal Republic of Germany,” read the communiqué.

Relations between Germany and Algeria are described as “good”. The first trip abroad by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune was to Berlin on 19 January 2020, to attend the Berlin Conference on Libya.

Germany is the fourth biggest supplier of Algerian imports. Germany’s principal exports are food, chemical products, motor vehicles and vehicle parts, as well as machines. Its primary imports from Algeria are oil, gas and petrochemicals. The German-Algerian Chamber of Industry and Commerce has around 400 members. In 2021, the volume of bilateral trade amounted to 2.6 billion euro, consisting of 1.85 billion euro in German exports to Algeria and 0.75 billion euro in imports to Germany from Algeria.

In addition to the Joint Economic Commission, the establishment of which was agreed in 2011, the two countries’ energy partnership that was launched in 2015 has provided another forum for promoting bilateral business contacts. The fourth German-Algerian Energy Day was held in Algiers on 20 December 2022 and focussed on “Green hydrogen, renewables and energy efficiency – working together for a new energy policy”. Germany’s delegation was led by Dr Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Germany and Algeria have concluded a number of bilateral agreements, such as the investment protection agreement of 2002 and the double taxation agreement of 2008. The two countries also have bilateral agreements on shipping and air transport, among other things.

A bilateral cultural agreement was signed on 13 June 2022. When it enters into force, it will serve as the foundation for deepening cultural and academic cooperation between the two countries.

The Goethe-Institut in Algiers was established in 1963. It was temporarily closed in 1994 due to events in Algeria, but has been operational again since 2003. Its activities focus on language work and cooperation in the field of education. Five Algerian schools are part of the Schools: Partners for the Future initiative (PASCH), and teach German as a foreign language. The number of people learning German has doubled to a total of 49,000 in only a few years.

Since 2008, the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) and Algeria’s National Public Museum of Cherchell have cooperated on the restoration of archaeological artefacts, specialised training for staff, and the reorganisation of the museum.