President Tebboune’s Official Visit to Italy Heralds a New Chapter in Algerian-Italian Strategic Partnership

President Tebboune’s Official Visit to Italy Heralds a New Chapter in Algerian-Italian Strategic Partnership

✍️ BY: Dr. Hana Saada

From Energy to Ecology: Algeria and Italy Deepen Historic Ties, Expand Economic Cooperation, and Align Diplomatic Agendas Amid Global Transformations

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Algiers, Algeria– Tuesday, July 23, 2025 | In a diplomatic gesture underscoring the enduring strength and evolving depth of Algerian-Italian relations, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune arrived Tuesday in Italy for an official visit, where he presides over the fifth session of the Algerian-Italian High-Level Government Summit. The visit, which has drawn significant attention from both sides of the Mediterranean, represents a renewed commitment to a multifaceted partnership rooted in solidarity, shared strategic interests, and a long history of cooperation.

A presidential communiqué affirmed the special importance of the visit, highlighting its role in consolidating historic ties and advancing bilateral cooperation across vital sectors. The timing and agenda of the visit demonstrate not only the solid foundations of a decades-old alliance but also an aspiration to recalibrate the partnership in light of new global and regional realities.

President Tebboune was given full honors at Houari Boumediene International Airport prior to his departure, where he was seen off by Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui, Army General Saïd Chanegriha, and Boualem Boualem, Chief of Staff at the Presidency. The ceremonial send-off, featuring a military salute by the Republican Guard, signified the high-level importance of this mission abroad.

A Legacy of Political Solidarity and Energy Interdependence
The Algerian-Italian relationship is singular in its resilience and scope. Since Algeria’s independence, Italy has demonstrated consistent support, notably through the early actions of Enrico Mattei, the founder of Italy’s energy giant ENI. Mattei’s foresight and ethical stance in the 1950s and 1960s—in recognizing the Algerian people’s right to sovereignty and controlling their own resources—paved the way for an energy partnership that remains vital to this day.

The construction of the Transmed gas pipeline in the 1970s, named in Mattei’s honor, became a literal and symbolic bridge between Algeria and Italy. It established Algeria as a cornerstone in Italy’s energy architecture and, more broadly, in the European Union’s strategic supply network. Italy’s role as a major consumer of Algerian gas has not only ensured its own energy security but has also solidified Algeria’s place as a trusted and essential provider within the Mediterranean space.

Beyond Energy: A Diversified and Resilient Partnership
Over the years, Algerian-Italian cooperation has evolved far beyond hydrocarbons. Despite regional instabilities—including Algeria’s “Black Decade” of the 1990s—Italy maintained a principled and pragmatic approach, opting to reinforce bilateral dialogue rather than isolate Algiers. This diplomatic stance bore fruit, culminating in the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness, and Cooperation in 2003. That landmark agreement laid the foundation for structured political consultations, economic exchange, and collaboration in diverse fields such as security, education, industry, and cultural heritage.

The architecture of this partnership has since enabled both nations to work in concert on a host of transnational issues, including regional security in the Maghreb and Sahel, the management of migratory flows, and the fight against cross-border criminal networks. The bilateral dialogue has matured into a strategic one—marked by regular summits, ministerial-level meetings, and joint task forces.

Economic Expansion and Cross-Investment Ambitions

Today, Italy stands as one of Algeria’s top trading partners, with ENI’s enduring collaboration with SONATRACH serving as the backbone of a broader economic relationship. However, both governments are now intent on expanding this scope. Trade relations have branched into mechanical construction, pharmaceuticals, agri-food industries, infrastructure development, tourism, and water resource management.

Numerous business forums and economic missions have been organized to stimulate mutual investment, generate employment opportunities, and foster technological innovation. These efforts are complemented by growing ties in academia and culture—through student exchanges, inter-university partnerships, and joint research programs—which foster deeper people-to-people connections.

Diplomatic Convergence on Regional Challenges

Diplomatically, Algiers and Rome have demonstrated convergence in their assessment of key geopolitical challenges. Both capitals advocate for dialogue and multilateralism in addressing crises in Libya and the Sahel, managing irregular migration, and maintaining maritime security in the Mediterranean. Their cooperation is grounded in a shared understanding that regional stability and security require inclusive, coordinated, and long-term strategies.

Amid global energy volatility and rising economic rivalries, this alignment provides both nations with a stable and forward-looking framework. Italy has found in Algeria not only a reliable supplier of energy but a strategic partner capable of adapting to new energy and environmental paradigms.

A Joint Vision for a Green and Sustainable Future

At the heart of the current summit is a shared ambition to jointly navigate the energy transition. Italy has expressed its readiness to support Algeria’s green transformation, particularly through the development of solar power, green hydrogen, and ecological technologies. Italian technical expertise and financial instruments are expected to play a key role in accelerating Algeria’s diversification agenda, especially in light of global commitments to reduce carbon emissions and promote clean energy alternatives.

This ecological cooperation dovetails with growing interest in agro-industrial development, sustainable urban planning, and smart infrastructure—all areas where Italian know-how complements Algerian developmental needs.

An Expanding Horizon of Human and Economic Exchanges

The human dimension of Algerian-Italian relations is equally dynamic. Increased flight connections, rising tourism flows, and expanding cultural programs speak to the vibrancy of people-to-people exchanges. Networks of entrepreneurs, municipalities, and civil society actors are multiplying, further embedding the bilateral partnership into the everyday lives of both populations.

Knowledge-sharing in modern agriculture, industrial transformation, and digital innovation has intensified, with Algerian businesses showing keen interest in Italian models of excellence and design. The cooperation between the two countries is thus as much about shared values as it is about pragmatic gains.

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