BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Received in audience by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Algeria, Mohammad Reza Babaie, affirmed the interest of Iranian companies in strengthening their presence in Algeria, in particular in the field of energy and mines.
According to a statement from the ministry, the two parties “stressed the need to intensify cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy and mining” and to explore “business opportunities.”
The meeting also focused on “the future prospects for investment in structuring projects in Algeria, particularly in the fields of research and exploration of hydrocarbons, the development of the petrochemical industry, and electricity,” added the same source.
Other aspects of cooperation related to the exchange of experiences as well as cooperation between the two countries in the mining field in Algeria, in particular the research, exploitation, and production of mineral substances, were also discussed.
On this occasion, the Minister noted with satisfaction “the good relations of cooperation and partnership between Algerian and Iranian companies”, inviting them to “develop mutually beneficial partnerships centered on projects integrating the mastery of production technologies, the transfer of know-how, expertise, and training”.
At the international level, the two parties “hold dialogue and consultation within OPEC and the GECF with a view to contributing to the stability of the oil and gas markets,” concluded the press release.
Algeria, Iran keen to strengthen historical ties, propel multifaceted cooperation
On different occasions, the two countries’ leaders have expressed their determination for the promotion of cooperation between Iran and Algeria in various fields considering the two countries’ history and ample capacities.
Iran and Algeria are paying attention to developing all-around cooperation given their common denominators. Both countries are revolutionary. The revolution in Algeria has been an inspirational force not only in the region, but also in the history of the struggle against colonization in the 1950s and 1960s, and the people of Algeria, like the Iranian people, took part in a long struggle to gain their independence from France in 1962 with a million and a half martyrs. Both countries adhere to principles of independence and fighting against oppression, colonialism, and injustice. They are also forerunners in tackling terrorism and extremism, calling for exerting more efforts so as to nip these scourges in the bud.
Politically, both countries have always maintained excellent relations with each other at a very high level. Algeria and Iran note a convergence of positions on many topical issues, such as the Palestinian cause, the need for a political solution to the ongoing situation in Yemen, Syria, and Libya, as well as the issue of stabilizing the oil market. It is noteworthy that Algeria opposed the Arab League members giving the Syrian seat in the League to the Syrian opposition. It resisted taking any kind of military action in Syria, and as for Hezbollah and Hamas, Algeria objected to placing them on the “terrorist group list.”
The ties of friendship between Algeria and the Islamic Republic of Iran are based on mutual respect and trust, convergence of views, a common will to ensure the prosperity of the two peoples, and joint action for the establishment of a just world order within the framework of respect for the sovereignty of States and the dignity of peoples. Algeria is one of the countries that have independent positions close to those of Iran on many issues, including in terms of its political literature.
Besides, Iran and Algeria hold regular talks on bilateral, regional, and international issues. Their brotherly relations are deeply rooted and go back to the 1960s. Soon after Algeria’s independence from France in 1962, Iran was among the first countries to recognize it as an independent nation, opening the Iranian Embassy in the autumn of 1964 in Algiers.
Iranian scholars held celebrations in the mosques of the Republic on the occasion of Algeria’s independence. The movie “The Battle of Algiers” was translated into Persian and screened many times on Iranian TV channels. Many Iranian poets also presented poems in Persian about the glorious Algerian revolution, such as; Abdol-Ali Adib Brumand, Khosro Farshid Vard, Ali Mahmoudi, Mohammad Jafar Iranpour, and Jafar Pour Tuyserkani.
After his return from Paris, Ayatollah Khomeini delivered a speech, calling upon Muslims to unite and follow in the Algerian revolution’s footsteps. According to him, the Algerian revolution represented both the lesser jihad against colonialism and the greater jihad against backwardness (inner struggle against sinful behavior).
Following the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, bilateral ties between the two nations further developed, culminating in the adoption of similar stances on an array of international issues, particularly the problems faced by the World of Islam as well as the conclusion of more than 70 agreements, to date, covering all-out cooperation.
Prominent Algerian leaders, including the late thinkers Naît Belkacem and Ahmed Hamani, were warmly received by Ayatollah Khomeini. Iranian television broadcast their meeting where they were sitting on the ground in the residence of the leader of the Iranian Revolution.
Later, an accord was inked between Iran and the USA due to the mediation of Algeria during the US Embassy takeover in Tehran. However, both countries’ relations experienced some ups and downs. Yet, in 2000, Tehran and Algiers resumed diplomatic relations, and since then, these relations keep flourishing.
Since the very beginning of the nuclear talks and even before the conclusion of the JCPOA, Algeria constantly and explicitly defended Iran’s rights in international bodies. Last February, the Algeria-Iran parliamentary friendship group was set up in Algiers.
Following the elections of two nations’ current Presidents, Iran and Algeria enjoy constructive relations with bilateral cooperation further increasing. Iranian President Sayyid Ebrahim Raïssi expressed Iran’s determination to remove all obstacles to developing economic ties between Iran and Algeria, considering no limit for all-around cooperation between the sisterly countries in the best interests of the two brotherly peoples. President Tebboune, on his part, expressed Algeria’s willingness to further boost mutual cooperation in diverse areas.