Syria and Algeria open new chapter of diplomatic relations

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the 4th of June, marking a new chapter in diplomatic relations. 

According to The New Arab, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation, expanding areas of discussion, and exchanging views on international and national developments. 

Al-Shaibani later said to the press, “We stressed the need for relations between our two countries to develop to include key sectors such as energy, the economy, investment and security.” adding, “I conveyed to the president the greetings of President Ahmed al-Sharaa […] I sensed great appreciation from the Algerian president for the importance of Syria and a willingness to support the path it is currently pursuing”.

Both countries agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly through the Algerian-Syrian Business Council and the Joint High Commission. 

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf had already visited Damascus in February 2025, for the first time since the fall of the Assad regime, where he met with President Al-Sharaa.

Additionally, last June, Algeria appointed a new ambassador to Syria, as part of political steps aimed at reorganising relations with Damascus. 

The Syrian General Intelligence chief, Hussein Al-Salama, also joined the meeting. Al-Salama’s presence is noted, as it reflects the existence of security files and questions between the two countries. Algeria is noted to be particularly interested in issues related to combating terrorism and cross-border movements, as well as the cases of Syrians residing in Algeria who arrived during the civil war.

Syrian lawyer and political activist Adnan Boush told The New Arab that Al-Salama’s presence meant that “there is a reorganisation and reassessment of the security relationship between Syria and Algeria, addressing some previous and unresolved security issues, reviving military-security training and benefiting from Algerian expertise in the security field, especially as Syria is starting from scratch in rebuilding its security services”.

As Damascus is rebuilding many diplomatic relations around the world, this visit reflects the new Syrian Regime’s will to build ties and establish good relations with Arab states.

The New Arab, Maghrebi.org