Energy tops talks between Presidents Putin, Bouteflika
20/02/2008
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday (February 19th) for discussions centred on economic co-operation and energy issues, local and international press reported. "It is very important for us to be in contact on energy issues, especially now that Algeria is heading OPEC," Reuters quoted President Putin as saying. Despite expectations to the contrary, both leaders reportedly avoided mentioning the possibility of an OPEC-style gas cartel.
Algerian press reported on Wednesday that Bouteflika was dissatisfied with the level of trade between the two countries, pointing out that bilateral trade was higher in 2006 than in 2007. President Putin expressed his hope that Algeria's signature of a free-trade agreement with the EU, which is expected to enter into effect in 2012, would not result in any disadvantages for Russian companies.
Bouteflika said that Algeria's relations with the EU were not the cause of the decline in bilateral trade with Russia, El Khabar reported. The Algerian president pointed to an estimated $1 billion railroad contract recently given to Russia's state-owned rail company as evidence of his willingness to continue working closely with Russia.
Both presidents expressed interest in renewing a production agreement between Sonatrach and Gazprom that had fallen to the wayside after both parties withdrew from negotiations without explanation at the end of 2007. Reuters reported that the agreement would allow Sonatrach to carry out gas exploration deals in Russia. Russian companies already hold contracts for oil extraction in Algeria.
Bouteflika was accompanied by a high-ranking delegation, including his ministers of foreign affairs, energy, finance, transport and defence.
جميلي الجزائري Posted 2008-02-21
I think that the trend towards consolidating cooperation in economy and energy will serve the interests of our Maghreb countries. Algeria, according to the official news, is varying relations with different parts of the world USA, Russia, China, France…This diversity can reinforce the sovereignty of our countries and thus achieve the goals which will ensure preserving the common international and regional area which will influence the process of internal development whether immediately or in the future…I add that “non-excessive” cooperation in the military sector is necessary, because technology is developing at a high pace, but this co-operation shouldn’t be to the detriment of development…
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