Algeria and Slovenia: Building New Relationships in the Heart of Europe

In an era where the maps of influence are being redrawn and old certainties collapse under the weight of successive crises, political partnerships are no longer solely governed by geographical proximity or historical legacies. Instead, they are built on the basis of intersecting interests, sovereign visions, and shared concerns. From this perspective, the growing relationship between Algeria and Slovenia stands as one of the manifestations of the profound shift in Algeria’s approach to its international relations: a shift that moves away from the traditional space of dependency towards Western Europe, to explore new horizons in Central Europe. Here, Slovenia, a small country in the shadows, plays an active role in intertwined fields of politics, energy, and transport.
How is Algeria weaving these new threads beyond its traditional circles? And what makes Slovenia – despite its geographical distance – a potential partner in an era where the contours of a new world order are taking shape?

Report: AminaSmatti

At the Edge of the Mediterranean and the Alps: A Beginning of a Thaw Unseen on the Map

Algerian-Slovenian relations had not been actively present on the agenda of bilateral diplomacy over the past decades. Cooperation remained limited to the multilateral framework within international organizations, without evolving into a clear strategic partnership. However, in March 2024, Algeria’s capital witnessed a notable shift when Slovenia’s Foreign Minister, TanjaFajon, during her official visit to Algeria, announced the signing of five agreements covering areas such as security, training, higher education, tourism, and maritime transport. She emphasized that “Algeria represents a gateway to stability and credibility in the Mediterranean region,” according to statements reported by the Algerian News Agency on March 14, 2024.

This visit came as part of preparations for the first joint committee meeting between the two countries, which took place in Algeria in April of the same year. The Secretary-General of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amar Belani, stressed that “this bilateral dialogue represents the first building block in establishing a balanced, long-term relationship with a friendly country,” according to an official statement published on the ministry’s website on April 5, 2024.

This new momentum in relations cannot be separated from the global geopolitical transformations since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis in 2022, which has pushed European countries to seek reliable alternative energy sources. Algeria, which was considered according to a report by the European Institute for International Relations, published in Brussels in July 2023, as “the most stable energy partner on the southern shore,” began to move beyond the traditional circle towards Central European countries. Slovenia represents a strategic crossroads between the Balkans, Austria, and Northern Italy.

Through Slovenia’s Gateway: Algeria Diversifies Its Alliances Amid Global Changes

Since 2019, Algerian foreign policy has undergone a significant shift, as the country began expanding its circle of international partners beyond the traditional axis dominated by the European Union, especially France and Italy. This transformation was not merely the result of a change in Algerian diplomacy but also a strategic response to a series of international and regional variables, most notably the Ukrainian crisis, which revealed the fragility of traditional balances in Europe. Algeria, with its crucial geostrategic location and vast energy resources, recognized the importance of diversifying its relations, prompting it to build partnerships with countries outside the traditional circle, such as Slovenia, which was initially absent from Algeria’s diplomatic agenda.

Despite its small size, Slovenia represents a strategically significant point in the heart of Central Europe. Thanks to its geographic location, membership in the European Union, and the Schengen Area, Slovenia offers Algeria a new gateway to Eastern European markets, as well as its role as a hub for sustainable energy, making it an ideal partner within the context of global shifts in the energy sector. According to former Algerian diplomat Ali Ben Said in an interview with the Algerian News Agency (April 16, 2024), “Slovenia is a key transit point for Algerian energy resources to Eastern Europe, especially in light of Algeria’s ambitious policy to expand its share in global energy markets.”

Moreover, these developments come at a time when Algeria is seeking to diversify its investments and reduce its reliance on traditional partners, which is reflected in its desire to build strategic partnerships with countries such as Slovenia, which enjoys significant credibility within the European Union. This approach reflects Algeria’s long-term strategy to enhance its economic and political sovereignty, achieving a balance in its international relations without aligning itself with any major blocs. As Algeria’s ambassador in Ljubljana, Abdel Rahman Ben Said, stated in a special interview with the “Algerian Institute for Strategic Studies” (March 2024), “Algeria seeks to expand its influence in Eastern Europe, and Slovenia provides us with this opportunity due to its advanced position and credibility in international dealings.”

This strategic shift is not a mere coincidence, but rather the result of Algeria’s recognition of the importance of regaining part of its geostrategic flexibility. Through Slovenia, Algeria can strengthen its position on critical issues such as energy, trade, and international politics, making it a pivotal partner in building a more stable future within the European region.

Prospects of Algerian-Slovenian Economic Partnership

The Algerian-Slovenian partnership in the economic and trade fields represents a strategic step towards opening new avenues for cooperation at a time when Algeria is working to enhance the diversity of its international partnerships. This partnership goes beyond mere formal agreements to real collaboration that could make a significant difference in several areas, especially given the current global trends towards reducing dependence on traditional partners.

Given Slovenia’s position as an economic hub in the heart of Europe, Algeria, which seeks to expand its exports beyond its traditional markets, views Slovenia as a new gateway to Eastern European markets. The main advantage of this cooperation lies in Slovenia’s ability to facilitate the access of Algerian products to the European Union markets, which comprise over 500 million consumers.

Trade and Investment

One of the key areas where Algeria can benefit from its partnership with Slovenia is in increasing trade exchanges. Slovenia, which is considered one of the most stable economies in Central Europe, has a developed banking system and strong infrastructure, making it an ideal partner for receiving Algerian exports such as oil and gas, as well as raw materials like phosphate and dates. As Dr. NourEddineBousif, an expert in economic affairs, mentioned in an interview with the “Arab Center for Economic Studies” (February 2024): “Slovenia is a key link for directing Algerian exports to Eastern and Central European markets, which will allow Algeria to capitalize on economic opportunities that were previously almost closed off.”

Regarding investments, Algeria seeks to attract Slovenian companies specializing in technology, heavy industries, and renewable energy. With Slovenia’s expertise in the clean energy sector, it represents a significant opportunity for Algeria, which aims to invest in renewable energy within its national vision for 2030. Algerian energy expert Youssef Ben Taher stated in an interview with the Algerian News Agency: “Through this partnership, Algeria can benefit from Slovenian expertise in developing solar and wind energy projects, which align with Algeria’s ambitious goals to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.”

Free Zones and Technology

Cooperation between Algeria and Slovenia in the area of free zones stands out as one of the highlights of their economic partnership. Slovenia, with its advanced expertise in managing economic free zones, can play a key role in helping Algeria develop this sector by supporting joint projects and providing technical guidance on attracting foreign direct investment. Furthermore, in the field of technology and innovation, Slovenian companies specializing in modern technologies can contribute to supporting Algeria’s digital transformation — a top priority for the Algerian government in recent years.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these promising opportunities, it is important to acknowledge the existing challenges. Algeria continues to face certain difficulties in its local business environment, particularly in terms of bureaucracy and market infrastructure. While Slovenia is a small country, it also grapples with challenges stemming from the European economic slowdown and global pressures. Therefore, successful cooperation between the two nations requires coordinated government efforts and long-term strategic thinking to ensure mutual benefit.

In this context, Algerian economic expert Dr. Farhat Ben Aouda stated in his appearance on Algeria International Channel (April 2024):“Algeria and Slovenia must work side by side to overcome the obstacles that may hinder their trade cooperation, especially with regard to customs regulations and the creation of an investment-friendly environment for investors.”

Towards Sustainable Cooperation

The Algerian–Slovenian partnership represents an important step toward strengthening relations between Algeria and Europe within a global context marked by major transformations. With a focus on economic, commercial, and security cooperation, this partnership appears promising in reinforcing Algeria’s position as a key contributor to regional and international stability. By exploring new avenues for trade and investment, in addition to joint security collaboration in facing contemporary challenges, Algeria and Slovenia are opening up vast opportunities to develop their relations and achieve mutual long-term benefits.

Algeria, which is actively seeking to broaden and diversify its partnerships beyond traditional allies, fully recognizes the importance of this partnership as a potential launching point for deeper strategic cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries. As with any successful partnership, it requires long-term commitment from both parties to overcome challenges and realize common goals. This partnership—across its economic, political, and security dimensions—stands as a living example of international relations built upon shared interests and forward-looking vision.