NEWS

• Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach has signed a natural gas supply agreement with Slovenia’s leading gas company Geoplin.
• The deal further enhances Algeria’s reputation as a trustworthy and adaptable supplier, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical shifts and energy security imperatives across the continent.

In a significant stride towards reinforcing Algeria’s strategic role as a reliable energy partner to Europe, the Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach signed a natural gas supply agreement with Slovenia’s leading gas company Geoplin on Tuesday.

The signing ceremony occurred at the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana, under the high patronage of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob.

This agreement includes a contract for the sale and purchase of natural gas, to be transported from Algeria to Slovenia via the trans-Mediterranean pipeline linking Algeria to Italy. This affirms Algeria’s position as a key energy gateway to the European continent.

The deal is seen as a robust step toward diversifying Slovenia’s energy sources while expanding Algeria’s export footprint in European markets, especially amidst growing demand for secure, non-Russian energy supplies.

In a statement released by Sonatrach, the company emphasised that this accord embodies the mutual ambition of Algeria and Slovenia to establish enduring energy cooperation, unlock new partnership avenues, and respond to Europe’s increasing natural gas requirements.

“This agreement reflects our shared vision for a stable and prosperous energy future. Algeria continues to prove itself as a dependable supplier committed to long-term partnerships grounded in mutual interest,” Sonatrach stated.

From an Algerian perspective, this agreement solidifies Sonatrach’s market share in Slovenia, positioning the country as a strategic player in the European energy architecture. The deal further enhances Algeria’s reputation as a trustworthy and adaptable supplier, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical shifts and energy security imperatives across the continent.

Beyond the energy dimension, this deal is also a tangible expression of the broader Algerian-Slovenian rapprochement, taking place within the framework of President Tebboune’s official state visit to Slovenia. The visit, which included high-level meetings with Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar and Prime Minister Robert Golob, also witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding covering sectors such as water, environment, artificial intelligence, space, and migration.

President Tebboune hailed the signing as a milestone in the flourishing Algerian-Slovenian partnership, emphasising Algeria’s readiness to deepen economic cooperation and leverage its vast natural resources for mutual benefit. He also welcomed Slovenia’s principled foreign policy positions, particularly its recognition of the State of Palestine and support for the right of the Sahrawi people to self-determination.