Slovenia and Algeria – even closer cooperation between the two countries

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, received with military honors the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboun, and his delegation, who arrived in Slovenia for a two-day official visit. This is a meeting of the leaders of two friendly countries, between which excellent cooperation in various fields is already underway, which both sides would like to further develop. Therefore, President Tebboun is accompanied on the trip by ministers from various fields and a large economic delegation.

Economic cooperation between the two countries dates back to the former Yugoslavia, and the two countries only established embassies last year. Algeria is Slovenia’s third most important economic partner among African countries, with bilateral trade reaching €95.6 million in 2024. One of the key topics in the talks between the two presidents was strengthening cooperation in the areas of artificial intelligence, police cooperation, renewable energy sources (solar and wind energy), agriculture and beekeeping, and information and communication, water and space technologies. The talks also indicated the possibility of establishing closer partnerships in these areas. Several memoranda of understanding and cooperation were signed during the visit, which will facilitate further integration.

President Pirc Musar expressed particular satisfaction with the cooperation between Geoplin and Sonatrach, as the latter currently provides almost half of Slovenia’s annual natural gas consumption. She also highlighted the support for the SouthH2 corridor project and welcomed Algeria’s commitment to working with the EU to establish a rapid and competitive energy transition. She stressed the importance of the MED9 regional initiative, currently chaired by Slovenia, whose long-term goal is to transform the Mediterranean into a green energy hub.

The Algerian side was also interested in exchanging experiences and expertise in drought management. Slovenia, which hosts the Drought Management Centre for South-East Europe, has extensive experience in this area, focused on preparedness and mitigation of drought impacts. Among other things, it hosted the 10th Meeting of the Parties to the UN Water Convention and assumed the presidency for the period 2024-2027.

In addition to strengthening political and economic cooperation, the two presidents also focused on current issues being discussed by the UN Security Council, where both Slovenia and Algeria participate as non-permanent members. They touched on developments in the Middle East, Africa – including Western Sahara – as well as the situation in Ukraine and the Western Balkans.

The President stressed that Slovenia is committed to a peaceful and sustainable resolution of conflicts in the Middle East and Africa and strongly supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. Slovenia also consistently supports the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries and their progress.

Regarding Western Sahara, the President stressed support for the Slovenian position on finding a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution under the auspices of the United Nations, based on compromise and taking into account the right to self-determination of the population, in accordance with UN resolutions and the principles of the UN Charter.

Algerian President with a strong economic delegation at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Over 130 Slovenian and Algerian businessmen attended today’s business forum at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS), which took place on the occasion of the official visit of the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, with a strong ministerial and economic delegation to Slovenia. The event was also attended by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, along with the President of Algeria. Both presidents signed the Book of Honorary Guests of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS). The event was organized by the GZS in cooperation with the Public Agency SPIRIT Slovenia, the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports, and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. Before the business forum, a memorandum of cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, as well as a memorandum of cooperation between SPIRIT Slovenia and the Algerian Council for Economic Renewal (CREA), were also signed at the Presidential Palace.

 

 

 

In the afternoon, both presidents attended a business forum at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, where they addressed businesspeople from both countries.

President Nataša Pirc Musar pointed out: “In the morning, numerous memorandums and a general declaration of cooperation were signed, reflecting our common will and efforts to turn words into actions – to establish long-term ties between our companies, institutions and countries as a whole. I am convinced that today’s signatures will contribute to even greater dynamics of economic relations. My belief in strengthening cooperation is further strengthened by the business proposals for long-term strategic partnerships for technological and sustainable development that we already have on the table.”

She concluded with the wish: “May today’s forum not be just a one-off meeting, but the beginning of a long-term, lasting and mutually beneficial cooperation. May this be the day when we take a step forward – together as partners into a future based on sustainability and progress. We are opening a new chapter in mutual economic cooperation.”