Algeria is playing key role in Europe’s energy diversification: Macron

Tunis, Aug 26 (EFE).- Algeria is playing a key role in the diversification of gas supplies to Europe as the bloc tries to reduce its Russian energy dependency in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, French president Emmanuel Macron said Friday.

“It is very good that there is greater cooperation and more gas flows through the Italian gas pipeline (Transmed), it is a matter of European solidarity,” Macron told reporters in Algiers.

His comments came after Italy’s recent agreement with Algeria to boost gas flows through the Transmed pipeline in its first major deal to diversify away from Russian gas supplies.

Algeria represents 7-8% of France’s gas supplies, Macron said, adding that Paris was open to “consolidate” strategic cooperation with Algeria in the energy sector but not likely to increase Algerian gas supplies.

“Unlike our Italian friends who have a pipeline, we have to liquefy and then regasify, cooperation is not likely to change the situation,” he said.

The French president is on the second day of a visit to Algeria aimed at forming a bilateral commission to examine the events of France’s 132-year-long colonial rule of the North African nation.

Meanwhile, Algerian energy minister Mohamed Arkab met with CEO of French energy company Engie, Catherine MacGregor, who is part of the large delegation accompanying Macron on his official visit to Algeria.

“The parties reviewed the state of cooperation and partnership relations between the two groups Sonatrach (Algerian hydrocarbon company) and Engie and future investment prospects,” Arkab said in a statement cited by state news agency APS. EFE

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