The work of the Strategic Dialogue between Italy and Algeria – an important consultation mechanism between the two Countries on bilateral relations and on the most important political and global security issues – was held today at the Farnesina. In his opening speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, also mentioning his mission to Algiers last February, stressed how Italy looks at Algeria as an all-round strategic partner with whom Italy intends to further strengthen political and economic cooperation, with special attention to energy issues.
After the opening session, co-chaired by the Farnesina Secretary-General, Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi, and by his Algerian counterpart, Ambassador Chakib Rachid Kaid, the delegations – with over 60 participants from various Ministries and agencies in both countries – met in three working groups dedicated to political and security cooperation, economic cooperation, and cooperation on global challenges and the protection of common goods in the Mediterranean. At the end of the work, the two Secretaries-General signed a document identifying the main areas in which the Italian and Algerian Administrations will carry out joint initiatives and projects during 2022.
On the sidelines of the working groups, Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi and Ambassador Chakib Rachid Kaid had a meeting to further discuss some of the topics covered by the Dialogue. In particular, they agreed on the importance of continuing on the path of strengthening high-level political contacts and increasing economic and energy cooperation. Turning to an analysis of the main crisis scenarios, the two Secretaries-General exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine war and on the Libyan transition, and took stock of the situation in the Sahel.