Turkiye and Algeria vowed on 10 December to bolster bilateral relations and increase trade by $10 billion.

During a press conference for the Turkish-Algerian Joint Planning Group in Algiers, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra to discuss prospects of cooperation in various fields such as defense, maritime, commerce, education, energy, culture, and agriculture.

Held the first 🇹🇷-🇩🇿 Joint Planning Group meeting w/ my brother @Lamambra_dz, FM of Algeria.

Discussed cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry, energy, maritime, culture & education.

Our trade goal is 10 billion $.

Our Consulate General in Oran will soon be operational. pic.twitter.com/5UWozt6ChU

— Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu (@MevlutCavusoglu) December 10, 2022

Cavusoglu noted that over 1,400 Turkish companies had invested a net amount of $5 billion in Algeria. Additionally, the flight frequency of Turkish Airlines has vastly increased this year, with Cavusoglu calling it a contribution to further bilateral relations.

Cavusoglu remarked: “As Turkey, we strongly support Algeria’s valuable work towards reconciliation between the Palestinian parties. We thank them very much for these efforts.”

Lamamra responded by praising strategic cooperation between Turkiye and Algeria, saying it will create a “bright future” for the two nations regarding investments, trade, technology, and military intelligence.

Cavusoglu and Lamamra also agreed to support a Libyan solution to its current political crisis by allowing Libya to hold democratic elections, granting its people the ability to choose their national officials, and ensuring stability for Tripoli.

 Libya has been segregated by two governments, one of which is called the Libyan Government of National Accords, which Turkiye has supported throughout the years.

A day prior, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Algeria’s Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane in Saudi Arabia’s capital and expressed his positive views on the strong relationship between Beijing and Algiers.

According to a report from Anadolu Agency, Xi elaborated on how he enjoyed the traditional relationship between the two countries, adding that “China-Algeria practical cooperation has a solid foundation and great potential.”

Xi remarked that Beijing would probably bolster infrastructure, energy, mining, and aerospace cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. 

Benabderrahmane also expressed appreciation for China’s efforts to provide the North African nation with COVID-19 vaccines.