Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s Upcoming Visit to Algeria Strengthens Bilateral Ties
BY: Hana Saada
Algiers, September 6, 2023 – In a significant development highlighting the strengthening of diplomatic and economic relations between Algeria and Turkey, Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan is poised to visit Algeria in the near future. This visit, announced by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the economic sector. As Algeria welcomes the imminent arrival of President Erdogan, today, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf embarks on a pivotal trip to Turkey to prepare the groundwork for the upcoming Algerian-Turkish summit and assess the progress made since the historic agreements signed last year.
The forthcoming summit is a pivotal step in consolidating the robust ties between Algeria and Turkey, with a particular emphasis on economic collaboration. Both nations are eager to harness the numerous opportunities that lie within their respective markets. As such, this high-level visit by President Erdogan underscores the commitment to deepening bilateral relations.
Minister Attaf’s visit to Turkey today serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it aims to lay the groundwork for President Erdogan’s visit to Algeria. Secondly, it provides an opportunity to evaluate the progress and implementation of the agreements inked between the two nations in various sectors last year.
A press release from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that Minister Attaf will be accompanied by a delegation comprising 12 representatives from ministerial departments. The primary focus of this working visit is to assess, monitor, and advance the various bilateral cooperation programs spanning an array of sectors.
During President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s visit to Turkey in the previous year, several significant agreements were signed, pledging to bolster cooperation, especially on the economic front. These agreements spanned sectors such as energy and mining, finance, trade, industry, public works, fishing, science & technology, innovation, micro-enterprises, industry, and the military and naval industry.
One of the key commitments made by the leaders of both countries during these agreements was the substantial increase in economic and commercial exchanges between Algeria and Turkey. The ambitious goal is to elevate these exchanges to a remarkable $10 billion in the near future, marking a substantial leap in their economic partnership.
According to Turkish sources, there are over 1,400 Turkish companies currently operating in Algeria, with significant investments being made in partnership with Algerian counterparts. Leading the way are companies like Tosyali, engaged in the steel industry, and Tayal, focusing on textiles. On the Algerian side, Sonatrach, the state-owned energy giant, formalized its entry into the Turkish market in 2021 by signing a partnership agreement with the Turkish group Renaissance in the petrochemical sector. Notably, Sonatrach is Turkey’s primary supplier of liquefied natural gas, with a voluminous 5 billion m3 supplied in 2022, solidifying their energy ties.
As the stage is set for President Erdogan’s visit to Algeria, the future looks promising for the burgeoning partnership between these two nations. With an array of cooperation agreements and a shared commitment to economic growth, the Algerian-Turkish relationship is poised to reach new heights, benefiting both nations and further strengthening their diplomatic bonds.
