Energy Cooperation Between Algeria and the European Union Enters a New Phase: Mohamed Arkab Meets EU Ambassador in Algiers

At the heart of the talks was an in-depth review of the current state and future outlook of Algeria-EU relations, with both sides emphasizing the importance of maintaining a robust and forward-looking dialogue. The meeting also assessed the progress achieved in energy cooperation, particularly in the supply of natural gas to Europe and the development of hydrocarbon fields to expand production capacity in response to growing international demand.

The two sides also addressed key issues related to carbon reduction technologies, decarbonization, and joint environmental and climate initiatives, aligning their efforts with global sustainability goals.

One of the major topics discussed was the ambitious Southern Hydrogen Corridor (Corridor Sud H₂), a strategic project linking Algeria to Europe through Italy, Germany, and Austria. The corridor aims to export green and blue hydrogen, positioning Algeria as a pivotal partner in Europe’s energy transition and a reliable contributor to global energy efficiency and sustainability efforts.

Minister Arkab seized the opportunity to encourage European companies to establish operations and invest in Algeria, highlighting the country’s new investment-friendly environment. He recalled the recent legislative and regulatory reforms undertaken by Algeria to make its energy and mining sectors more open, flexible, and attractive to foreign partners. These reforms, he emphasized, reflect the government’s determination to transform Algeria into a regional hub for energy production and mineral transformation.

Discussions further explored investment opportunities in the Algerian mining sector, with a focus on establishing mutually beneficial partnerships between Algerian and European enterprises. The envisioned cooperation encompasses technology transfer, training programs, and advanced expertise-sharing, particularly in prospecting, exploration, and resource valorization.

Special attention was given to rare earth elements and strategic minerals, which lie at the core of Algeria’s new mining code. This legal framework provides substantial incentives and facilitates the localization of mining industries within Algeria — a move that supports the diversification of the national economy and its integration into global industrial value chains.

For his part, EU Ambassador Diego Meado expressed satisfaction with the depth of the strategic dialogue between Algeria and the European Union in the energy field. He commended Algeria’s crucial and reliable role in maintaining Europe’s energy security, underlining the growing interest of European companies in the Algerian market.

Ambassador Meado also reiterated the EU’s strong commitment to strengthening cooperation with Algeria in the production of green and blue hydrogen, as well as in the extraction and transformation of strategic minerals, which are essential to industries related to renewable energy technologies.