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Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has hailed relations with Algeria as “more special than ever” during an official visit by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to Rome on Wednesday, where the two leaders presided over a high-level economic summit.
The meeting highlighted the deepening strategic ties between the two nations, particularly in the energy sector.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Italy has turned to Algeria as its main supplier of natural gas, marking a significant shift in its energy strategy.
During the summit, Meloni and Tebboune signed a raft of bilateral agreements. While details of the roughly 40 deals were not disclosed, Meloni confirmed that energy remained a cornerstone of their cooperation.
“Our friendship—rooted in history and now stronger than ever—has reached levels of intensity and stability never seen before,” Meloni said.
She praised the agreements as a sign of the countries’ enduring and evolving partnership.
Earlier in July, Algerian state energy giant Sonatrach and Italy’s Eni signed a $1.35 billion deal, further reinforcing energy collaboration.
Meloni also emphasised Italy’s ambition to serve as an energy gateway for Europe, a goal she said would be impossible without Algeria’s support.
Tebboune described the summit as evidence of the “strong political will” to enhance the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
The Algerian leader’s visit to Rome comes amid deteriorating relations between Algiers and France, Italy’s neighbour, making Rome an increasingly important ally for the North African nation.
President Tebboune was welcomed with full honours at Rome’s Villa Doria Pamphili, where both national anthems were performed by Italian guards.
