Is Iran and Algeria’s New Partnership the Future of Energy and Tourism?
Iran and Algeria signed several cooperation agreements during Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s recent visit to Algiers, indicating the two countries’ aspirations to strengthen their relations. These agreements, which encompass gas, tourism, and various other sectors, come as European countries show increasing interest in Algerian gas.
Boosting Bilateral Cooperation
During his visit to Algeria for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, President Raisi met with his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and both leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing the collaboration between Iran and Algeria, particularly in the energy and economic sectors. President Raisi highlighted Iran’s substantial potential in areas such as energy, technology, engineering, industries, petrochemicals, and finance.
Significance of the Agreements
These agreements affirm both Iran’s and Algeria’s ongoing efforts to improve their bilateral relations. Earlier, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and the speaker of Algeria’s lower house of parliament, Ibrahim Boughali, had visited Tehran, fostering closer ties between the two countries.
While Algeria and Iran share similar stances on certain international issues, they still have limited trade links. However, Algeria’s hosting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum presents a favorable opportunity for the North African nation. With heightened European interest in Algerian gas following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Algeria, as the top gas supplier to Italy and Spain, aims to reduce its dependence on Russia and meet the rising demand from Europe.
Challenges and Common Goals
Both Iran and Algeria face challenges in expanding their gas output. Algeria struggles with infrastructure limitations and competition from other major gas producers like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Iran, despite facing heavy sanctions on its energy industry, also seeks to increase its gas production to meet domestic and international demand.
The United States’ Perspective
The United States, due to its preference for alternatives to Russian gas, has encouraged Algeria to boost its gas exports as an alternative supply for Europe. Although the U.S. and Algeria have had disagreements over issues like Western Sahara and Algeria’s ties with Russia, the shared goal of reducing energy reliance on Russia fosters a more positive relationship between the two countries.
Conclusion
The recent agreements between Iran and Algeria demonstrate the countries’ determination to deepen their economic, energy, and tourism cooperation. As Algeria seeks to diversify its gas exports and reduce reliance on Russia, it looks to Iran as a potential partner. While challenges persist, this partnership presents an interesting prospect for both nations and may shape the future of energy and tourism in the region.