Algerian foreign minister visits Switzerland on European tour

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf has been on an official visit to Berne, Switzerland, as part of his European tour, reports Le Matin d’Algérie on 3rd April.

He was received by his Swiss counterpart Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, to work on bilateral cooperation, particularly on issues such as security. They also discussed developments in the Middle East and in the Sahel region.

Attaf was also received by Pierre-André Page, President of the Swiss National Council, to discuss collaborations through parliamentary diplomacy. They stressed the strong historical ties between both countries, with Switzerland having supported Algeria during the war of Independence and facilitating the 1962 Évian accords that ended the 132 years of French colonisation.

Attaf has been on a diplomatic blitz recently, visiting Belgium on March 31st where he met Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot, as well as Croatia in March as well. He also received Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares in Algiers in March.

According to the Algerian state-controlled outlet Algeria Press Service, his visit to Brussels was particularly successful as it focused on boosting economic partnerships. There are further plans to boost economic investments from Belgium in Algeria.

While Algerian diplomacy was weakened by the UN Security Council vote for the Moroccan plan on the Western Sahara conflict, and the large support it gathered across Europe and Africa, the Tebboune government has made significant efforts to build its international presence and develop closer ties with Western partners. This is particularly important in the context of the war against Iran, a longtime ally of the Algerian regime.

The reconciliation with France is significant, after months of a complete rupture. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez’s long awaited visit to Algeria in February 2026 led to both sides agreeing to restart cooperation on key issues. Similarly, Algeria’s ties with Niger have started to enter normalisation.

Le Matin d’Algerie, Algeria Press Service, Maghrebi.org