Algeria and Italy Forge a Pragmatic Partnership
On March 25, 2026, a significant bilateral meeting took place in Algiers between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This visit marks Meloni's second trip to Algeria during her tenure, underscoring the priority both nations place on their diplomatic and economic relations. At the heart of this collaboration lies a pragmatic alliance that aims to secure Italy's long-term energy stability in light of diminished Russian supplies, while Algeria seeks to solidify its status as a leading energy exporter in the Mediterranean region, with Italy serving as its key gateway to the European market.
The focus of their economic cooperation is primarily directed towards the raw materials sector. According to official statements from Prime Minister Meloni, there will be an intensification of collaboration between the state-owned corporations ENI and Sonatrach. This partnership not only emphasizes traditional natural gas supplies but also the exploration of offshore reserves and shale gas. Through this strategic alignment, Algeria aims to position Italy as a counterbalance to other European states, notably Spain, with which relations have soured due to differing policies regarding Morocco and the Western Sahara issue.
Expanding Economic Horizons Beyond Energy
In parallel with energy initiatives, the “Mattei Plan” is advancing beyond just the energy sector. A pivotal project includes the large-scale agricultural development of desert areas. In the Timimoun province, the area designated for growing grains and legumes is set to expand from 7,000 to 13,000 hectares by 2026. These agricultural initiatives are complemented by plans to establish a joint trade committee to facilitate access for Italian companies to sectors such as pharmaceuticals and digital infrastructure in Algeria.
During their meeting, President Tebboune took the opportunity to articulate Algeria's foreign policy positions clearly. He condemned the “serious violations of international humanitarian law” occurring in the Gaza Strip and urged the international community to intensify efforts toward a fair solution that guarantees the Palestinian people the right to an independent state within the 1967 borders. Additionally, the issues surrounding Libya and Western Sahara featured prominently in Tebboune’s remarks. He stressed the necessity of preserving Libya's unity through political solutions without external interference, while reiterating Algeria’s traditional stance on the Western Sahara. However, a diplomatic tension emerges as Algeria continues to advocate for a referendum, while the international framework has shifted away from this approach. Since UN Resolution 2797 in October 2025, the referendum has effectively been sidelined in UN documents, with a focus instead on resolving the conflict through regional autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, involving Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, and the Frente Polisario in discreet negotiations.
Prime Minister Meloni broadened the scope of discussions to encompass global security architecture, highlighting Algeria's “extraordinary role” historically and presently in the Sahel region, an area increasingly plagued by instability and terrorist threats. Italy, engaged militarily and in development within the region, views Algerian diplomacy as an essential partner in curbing the spread of jihadism.
The ongoing war in Ukraine was also addressed, with Meloni emphasizing the need for a “just and lasting peace.” Italy is counting on Algeria as a significant voice among non-aligned nations and the African Union to maintain diplomatic channels. The collaboration with Algeria is aimed at mitigating the economic shocks of the war, which particularly affect African nations, by establishing stable energy and agricultural partnerships.
Despite differing diplomatic emphases, both sides reached a consensus on security issues. Meloni expressed gratitude to Algeria for its “exemplary cooperation” in combating irregular migration, with the reduction of landings on Italian coasts cited as a success of this partnership. Their shared priority remains dismantling criminal networks operating in the Mediterranean. They also agreed on the understanding that true stability can only be achieved through local economic prospects, which ties back to the ambitious investment initiatives outlined in the Mattei Plan.
As reported by maghreb-post.de.
