Algeria and Russia to sign strategic alliance agreement
Algeria and Russia are getting ready to finalize and sign a “strategic alliance agreement,” that will encompass different sectors of economic collaboration, according to Arab World. This agreement represents yet another significant stride towards enhancing the bilateral ties between Algeria and Russia which is troubling both the Moroccan government and Biden administration.
In addition to the “strategic alliance agreement,” Algeria is also set to sign a huge contract with Russia to supply arms worth between $12-17 billion. In November 2022, Africa Intelligence newspaper reported that negotiations were under way on a framework agreement on Russian military supplies for Algeria for the next 10 years, where Algeria will be supplied submarines, aircrafts, and new air defense systems.
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These agreements have not gone unnoticed by other major global players. The United States, noticed the military rapprochement between the two countries and, in October 2022, demanded their government impose sanctions on Algeria under the pretext of arms deals linking it to Russia.
In May of 2020 Russian President, Vladimir Putin, invited Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to visit Russia. Though this meeting never occurred due to the coronavirus pandemic, Putin has re-extended the invitation for a new meeting.
The Algerian administration has yet to confirm their Russian visit with the public, but it seems that arrangements for the “strategic alliance agreement” want to be finalized before an official visit.
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In November of last year, Mikhail Bogdanov, the Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, expressed that the Russian government was anticipating a proposal from Algeria to determine the scheduling of the meeting, mentioning that it will “likely take place at the end of the year.” The Algerian Foreign, Minister Ramtane Lamamra, reiterated this sentiment in May 2023, stating that he hopes Tebboune’s visit to Moscow will take place before the end of the year.
Giving insight to the potential discussions taking place before the end of the year, Lamata commented on the relationship between Algeria and Russia, saying “We are conducting a high-level political dialogue. We hope President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s visit to Russia will begin a new phase in our relations.”
Arab World/Maghrebi
