Algerian President Tebboune calls for revision of EU agreement

Algerian President Abdelmajdid Tebboune announced a desire to review the association agreement with the European Union on the 27th of July. According to Algerie Eco, the head of state explained that the agreement took place at a time when Algeria’s main leverage and exported goods were hydrocarbons. He stated Algeria’s economy has vastly diversified since the signature of the agreement in 2025, calling for a different agreement. 

Tebboune cited as an example the Algerian cement industry, recalling that Algeria exported up to 3 million tons of cement in 2016, with current exports going up to 40 million tons in 2026. 

Tebboune further explained to the national media present during his speech that Algeria’s relationship with specific European countries enables it to negotiate better economic terms. He insisted that Algeria had already discussed such questions with Spain, particularly about expanding access to the European market for a variety of Algerian producers. 

Amongst other European nations, the Algerian head of state explained that the recent agreements with Germany had facilitated commerce between the two nations, particularly through the “Opel” project, in which Algeria will produce automobile engines locally. Tebboune sees these deals as technology transfers, opportunities to create new jobs, and, more importantly, to develop skills within Algeria’s mechanical industries. 

The President put forward the quality of different sectors, particularly within the construction materials industry, the steel industry, as well as food production and agribusiness. 

The energy sector is an important, if not crucial, part of the Algerian economy. Tebboune’s goal is to ultimately become Germany’s sole provider of green hydrogen, particularly thanks to the pipeline that transits through Austria. Other projects of solar plants and exports towards Europe are being discussed. 

“I can tell you one thing (…), and Algerians can be proud of it: their country will never harm its neighbours,” said Tebboune during the press conference. 

On another note, and being asked questions about the current protests in Tunisia, Tebboune assured that “They want to destabilise Tunisia because of Algeria. They want to isolate it from Algeria to make it an easy target, and we will not let them,” before adding: “Whoever touches Tunisia, touches us.”

Algerie Eco, Maghrebi.org