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- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Algeria. His visit assumes importance at a time when hectic parleys are taking place between the Western countries and Algeria to boost gas exports to Europe, where there is an uncertainty of regular supply due to Russia-Ukraine war. Algeria is Africa’s biggest natural gas exporte
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Algeria. His visit assumes importance at a time when hectic parleys are taking place between the Western countries and Algeria to boost gas exports to Europe, where there is an uncertainty of regular supply due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Algeria is Africa’s biggest natural gas exporter.
In his whirlwind tour, Blinken visited Israel, the West Bank and Morocco. Importantly, in Algeria, he met Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. There are reports that the US Secretary of State would urge Algeria to reopen a pipeline that carried Algerian natural gas through Moroccan territory to Spain. This would help the West to reduce their energy dependence on Russia. The pipeline was closed last year after Algiers declined to renew a 25-year export deal following a spike in tensions with Rabat. There are reports that earlier requests by the Biden administration to reopen the gas pipeline was rejected by Algerian government.
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During his meetings with heads of state in Morocco, Algeria and Middle East, Blinken has stressed the U.S. solidarity with Ukraine. Regional security and stability, commercial cooperation and advancing human rights and fundamental freedom were the other issues that have cropped up during the discussions.
