First, the signing of 5 cooperation agreements on gas and investments, then the initialing of the joint declaration by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of the Algerian People’s Democratic Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune. This is the most important part of Prime Minister Meloni’s first official visit to Algeria to strengthen relations between the two countries, especially in the energy, political, economic and cultural fields.
Meloni talked about building bridges between Europe and Africa, above all in terms of energy supply (not only gas but also renewable resources), but also infrastructure investments and strengthening existing trade relations with the North African country. The first step towards the ambitious Mattei Plan for Africa, a non-predatory model of cooperation and development for Africa by foreign countries. What did Giorgia Meloni say at the press conference in Algeria?
Meloni: “Italy could become a key hub for energy distribution”
Stating that Algeria is a “reliable and strategic partner” for Italy, Meloni reminded that this official visit took place on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the friendship and cooperation agreement between the two countries. “We wanted to celebrate this important anniversary by signing a joint declaration”, “we don’t want to stop here, we want to try new areas. Italy intends to establish a partnership to fuel growth prospects for both countries”. Building bridges between the North and South coasts of the Mediterranean”.
Meloni repeated the word ‘bridge’ several times in her speech, reminding that Italy is Europe’s gateway to Africa. The Italian government sees Algeria as “a key partner for the Mattei Africa Plan, an ambitious goal this government has set for itself to turn the many crises we face into possible opportunities”. The Prime Minister explained that the much talked about Mattei Plan is a cooperation and development model for Africa, “not predatory, both partners should be satisfied”.
Liberation from Russian gas by 2025
Regarding the energy issue, which is very valuable for Italy, as he wants to eliminate his dependence on Putin as soon as possible (Descalzi spoke of the winter of 2024-2025), Meloni said that energy cooperation with Algeria is not just about gas. but it also “extends to the energy transition”. The aim is not only to increase gas exports to Italy and Europe, but also to do everything in an increasingly sustainable way to achieve the much-talked about energy transition. In a nutshell, Italy aims to become “a core hub for energy distribution in Europe”.
Finally, Meloni reminded that Algeria is Italy’s first commercial partner in Africa and that we “want to diversify the partnership” by looking at infrastructure, space, agro-industry and medical sectors. The aim is to strengthen the network of Italian companies in Algeria and vice versa.
Recalling that they also talked about the North African scenarios in their “long conversation” with President Tebboune, Meloni concluded his words, “The extraordinary friendship and cooperation that led us to know each other is a great resource that is well to use.” , Libya, Tunisia and the stabilization of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.
Energy agreement signed by Descalzi, Italy-Algeria
Five agreements were signed in Algeria to strengthen gas and investment relations between Italy and Algeria. Among them is the agreement signed by Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi and Sonatrach CEO Toufik Hakkar on future joint projects in the fields of energy supply, energy transition and decarbonization. Thanks to these agreements, Eni and Sonatrach will lay the foundations for Italy to become an energy hub between Africa and Europe, not only for gas but also for green hydrogen.
The goal is to get rid of Putin’s Russian gas. In particular, opportunities will be identified to reduce greenhouse gas and methane emissions, energy efficiency initiatives, development of renewable energy sources, green hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture and storage projects will be identified, supporting energy security and at the same time for a sustainable energy transition.
In addition, the companies will work to identify possible measures to increase Algeria’s capacity to export energy to Europe, to remove the blocks that prevent the promised amount of gas from reaching Italy in April and July 2022, when Italy still has Draghi. . state.
Other agreements signed in Algeria
Confindustria President Carlo Bonomi signed a memorandum of understanding with Crea, the Algerian Council for Economic Renewal, envisaging a strategic partnership between Italian and Algerian companies aimed at improving industrial cooperation.
It was also agreed on space cooperation through the exchange of information on the subject, the organization of seminars and workshops, the development of mutually beneficial projects and the organization of training activities. The agreement was signed by ASI president Giorgio Saccoccia and managing director Asal Azzedine Oussedik.
Source: Today IT
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
