
Mohamed Arkab, Algeria's Minister of State and Minister of Hydrocarbons, met with Snorre Erichsen Skjevrak, Norway's Vice Minister of Energy, and a high-level delegation including the Norwegian Ambassador to Algeria and executives from the Equinor oil group. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, aimed to strengthen cooperation and partnership between Algeria and Norway in the hydrocarbons sector. Discussions focused on evaluating current cooperation between Sonatrach and Equinor, particularly through the In Salah and In Amenas projects, and exploring prospects for development in hydrocarbon research, exploration, development, and production activities. The parties also considered new investment opportunities, the expansion of exploration activities, and the development of oil and gas fields. Cooperation in natural gas, liquefied natural gas LNG, and petrochemicals was also addressed. Energy transition and environmental protection were central to the exchanges, with discussions on projects to reduce methane and carbon dioxide emissions, as well as carbon capture and storage CCS technologies. Algeria seeks to leverage Norwegian expertise in decarbonization and low-emission technological solutions to support sustainable development efforts. Mr. Arkab reiterated Algeria's commitment to improving the business climate and attracting quality investments, highlighting the advantages of the hydrocarbons law and regulatory framework. Mr. Schjøvrak expressed satisfaction wi
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
Must ReadThe French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office PNAT has requested the release of Smaïl R., an agent from the Algerian consulate in Créteil, who has been detained since April 12, 2025. He is accused of involvement in the alleged kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, known as "Amir DZ." This case has been a source of significant diplomatic tension between Paris and Algiers, leading to the reciprocal expulsion of twenty-four diplomats. The PNAT's request for release, made on June 11, marks a shift in its position, as it had previously rejected all requests for Smaïl R.'s release. Although the judge of liberties and detention rejected the release request on June 18, the defense immediately appealed. The appeal will be heard by the Paris Court of Appeal's investigation chamber by July 13. The PNAT has indicated that Smaïl R.'s continued detention is no longer essential for the investigation, given the proposed strict judicial supervision measures, which include residency in Val-d'Oise, weekly check-ins with the police, confiscation of identity papers, and a ban on contact with individuals targeted by the magistrate. The alleged kidnapping incident occurred on April 29, 2024, when Amir DZ claimed he was abducted by four individuals posing as police officers. The investigation intensified in February 2025, with the PNAT involving the criminal brigade and accusing two Algerian officials. The detention of Smaïl R. remains a sensitive issue in Franco-Algerian relations, particularly aft
Must ReadAlgeria's crude oil exports to South Korea have seen a significant increase, with a 263.3% jump in May compared to April, reaching nearly 3.64 million barrels. This surge is attributed to South Korean refiners seeking alternative oil sources amid tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict between Iran and the United States, which has complicated oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz. In May, South Korean oil imports from the Middle East dropped by 32% year-on-year. Over the first five months of 2026, South Korea's imports of Algerian crude totaled 9.31 million barrels, a 43.6% increase from the previous year. This growing trade relationship is also supported by diplomatic efforts; in early June, Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf met with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul to discuss increased oil purchases and strengthen their twenty-year partnership in energy and defense. While the Middle East still supplies the majority of South Korea's oil, Algeria is steadily gaining market share.
Must ReadInternational students in France will face higher financial requirements for obtaining a residence permit, effective August 1, 2026. A new decree, published in the Official Journal on June 22, 2026, links the minimum required resources to 47% of the gross monthly SMIC minimum wage. This change means students will need to demonstrate approximately 877.50 euros per month, a significant increase from the previous 615 euros. The French authorities state that the 615 euro threshold, which had been unchanged for nearly twenty years, was too low to cover the actual cost of living in the country. This financial hardening is a prerequisite for student expatriation, requiring applicants to prove their financial stability for the entire duration of their stay. Acceptable proofs include bank statements, scholarships, regular income, family support, or a guarantor. This measure, coupled with the recent termination of personalized housing aid APL for non-European, non-scholarship students, is expected to impact student visa applications. France hosted 443,500 international students in 2024-2025, representing nearly 15% of its total university population, with Morocco, Algeria, China, Italy, and Senegal being the top five countries of origin. Algerian students, under a specific Franco-Algerian bilateral agreement, are advised to carefully follow the latest instructions from their consulate.