Ex-minister: Algeria gets along with everyone in Mediterranean except France

Former French minister and president of the Algeria-France Association Ségolène Royal has said Algeria maintains relations with Mediterranean countries, while its relationship with France remains strained, Dzair Tube reports.

Speaking in a television interview with French broadcaster BFM TV, Royal said: “Algeria gets along with all the countries of the Mediterranean basin except France.”

Her remarks come amid continued tensions between Algiers and Paris, following a prolonged deterioration in bilateral relations over diplomatic, political and historical issues.

While relations with France have faced repeated tensions, Algeria has continued to develop political and economic cooperation with several European countries.

Italy has emerged as one of Algeria’s closest European economic partners, with cooperation covering energy, trade, investment and industrial projects. The two countries have also maintained regular high-level political consultations.

Algeria has likewise strengthened its ties with Spain following the restoration of bilateral relations after a period of diplomatic tension. Cooperation has included trade, energy and security issues, with both sides seeking to consolidate bilateral relations.

Relations with Germany have also included political dialogue and cooperation in areas including energy, investment, vocational training and economic development.

Algeria maintains longstanding relations with Portugal, particularly in the energy and economic fields, while cooperation with Greece has developed around energy, trade, investment and Mediterranean affairs.

With Slovenia, Algeria has expanded economic and political engagement, including cooperation in trade, investment and energy. The two countries have also sought to develop new opportunities for business partnerships.

Algeria’s European relations are not limited to the Mediterranean. It maintains diplomatic and economic ties with a broad range of European states and has continued to engage with European institutions on energy, trade, migration and other areas of mutual interest.

By Aghakazim Guliyev