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EU Ambassador to Algeria discusses strengthened partnership after Commissioner Šuica's visit
via Algérie3602 min read
Following European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica's official visit to Algiers, the European Union Ambassador to Algeria, Diego Mellado Pascua, held a briefing for Algerian journalists. He stated that Commissioner Šuica's visit reflected a high level of coordination between the EU and Algeria, highlighting Algeria's increasing importance in European considerations amid rapid international changes. Discussions covered strengthening economic partnership, supporting political dialogue, security, energy, and migration management, marking a pivotal step in consolidating a common vision across the Mediterranean. On energy, Ambassador Mellado Pascua reaffirmed Algeria's status as a strategic partner for Europe's energy security, crucial for diversifying supply sources and reducing reliance on Russian gas. Future cooperation extends beyond traditional hydrocarbons to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green hydrogen, including continental projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. Mellado Pascua emphasized modernizing trade relations through new mechanisms like the Mediterranean Pact to integrate Algeria into European value chains, attract foreign direct investments, and boost European industrial presence in Algeria. The partnership also includes legal mobility, professional training, scientific research, and technology transfer, with European financial institutions funding infrastructure projects. The EU recognizes Algeria's role as a "guardian of stabilit
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Must ReadDuring a three-day official visit to Turkey, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan co-chaired a signing ceremony for several strategic agreements and memorandums of understanding. These agreements aim to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors. In media, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Algerian Radio and Turkish public television for expertise and content exchange. Economically, a memorandum of understanding was concluded between the Algerian Investment Promotion Agency and its Turkish counterpart to boost investment flows. The trade ministries also signed a joint declaration to begin negotiations for a preferential trade agreement. Cooperation extends to communication, with an agreement to combat media disinformation, and to agriculture, with an agreement on plant protection and agricultural quarantine. The industrial sector saw two memorandums of understanding on standardization, conformity assessment, training, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. Additional agreements cover disaster and emergency management, mutual recognition of driving licenses, and international road transport of passengers and goods. Cooperation also includes postal services and telecommunications, as well as an agreement concerning veterans and the rights of martyrs' beneficiaries. The visit culminated in the two heads of state signing a joint declaration marking the first meeting of the High-Level Str
Mourad Hanifi, the Minister of Mines, inaugurated a dolomite transformation unit in Ouled Hamla, Algeria, marking a strategic shift from an extraction-based economy to a value-added processing industry. The inauguration coincided with the 60th anniversary of the nationalization of mines and the 59th anniversary of SONAREM's creation. Accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Secretary of State Karima Bakir Tafer, the Minister officially launched the Tioulet dolomite transformation unit. This facility aims to process raw materials locally, creating wealth and employment. Utilizing the open-pit Tioult deposit, which holds over 43 million tons of geological reserves, the project has an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons of micronized and calcined dolomite. This unit will serve as a strategic supplier for vital sectors such as steel, glass, fertilizer, and construction industries, while also creating 120 direct jobs in the region. By producing transformed dolomite domestically, Algeria intends to meet national market demands, particularly for its steel complexes and glass factories, thereby reducing import costs and strengthening industrial integration. The Minister emphasized that this project is part of a broader economic revitalization, with the restructured mining sector accelerating other national projects like Gara Djebilet iron, the integrated phosphate project, and the Tala Hamza zinc mine. Hanifi also highlighted that the nationalization of mines 60 years
The updated Henley Passport Index for 2026 shows Singapore maintaining its position as the world's most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 192 destinations. The United Arab Emirates has made a significant leap, now ranking second globally alongside Japan and South Korea, with access to 187 countries. France is part of a large European bloc of twelve nations, including Germany and Spain, sharing fourth place with 185 visa-free destinations. Austria, Greece, Malta, and Portugal follow closely in fifth place with 184 destinations. The middle of the top 10 is tightly contested, with Hungary, Poland, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom at sixth place 183 destinations, and Canada and Australia at seventh 182. The United States and Iceland are at tenth place, offering access to 179 destinations. In the Maghreb region, Algeria ranks 78th, providing visa-free access to 55 destinations. Morocco leads the region at 63rd place with 71 destinations, while Tunisia is 68th with 66 visa-free accesses. The bottom of the ranking reflects current geopolitical crises, with Libya 93rd, 39 accesses, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria having scores between 31 and 26 destinations. Afghanistan remains the least powerful passport globally, with access to only 23 destinations.
Air Algérie is significantly expanding its flight schedule for summer 2026 to meet surging demand, particularly from the Algerian community abroad. The national carrier is adding 560 international rotations to key destinations, aiming to make travel to Algeria more accessible. This expansion addresses the high demand in July and August, which typically leads to limited availability and increased prices across all airlines serving Algeria. In addition to international routes, Air Algérie's Domestic Airlines subsidiary is introducing 80 additional rotations to enhance the domestic network, though specific destinations have not yet been announced. The airline is also broadening its international network with new strategic routes connecting Algeria to Nantes, Strasbourg, Manchester, and Rotterdam. To further support travelers, Air Algérie is offering promotional fares for May, including flights to Europe and Asia, and has reintroduced its "Otla" offer for summer 2026 bookings made before May 31. These promotional tickets, available in economy class, often come with a "0 Bag" policy no checked luggage and are non-refundable, though date modifications are permitted for an additional fee. Passengers are advised to book quickly due to limited availability for these flash promotions.