Azernews.Az

By Aynur Karimova

Algeria has two big ports that transport liquefied and Azerbaijan can use them to transit its gas to Europe.

This remark was made by Azerbaijani ambassador to Algeria Mahir Aliyev on June 5.

He told Trend that the energy sector is one of the promising areas of cooperation between the two countries.

“Like Azerbaijan, Algeria is rich with energy resources," the ambassador said. “Algeria ranks 13th-14th in the world for the production volume of oil and gas.”

Algeria produces and exports nearly 2.5 million barrels of oil per day. The country supplies gas to many African and European countries. It is the third largest gas producer in the Arab region after Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as a leading exporter in Africa.

Algerian Energy Ministry has already expressed interest in cooperation with Azerbaijan in the energy sector. In particular, Algeria’s Sonatrach Company expressed desire to cooperate with Azerbaijan's state energy giant SOCAR.

Also, a delegation led by Ahmed Messili, Algerian governor for OPEC, secretary general of the country’s Energy Ministry, visited Baku in April 2015, and held negotiations with the leadership of SOCAR. During the visit, the sides stressed the need to study and analyze the mutual opportunities and to determine the main areas of cooperation.

The Algerian side also supported the participation of Azerbaijani companies in the tenders on energy projects in Algeria.

Many prospective fields for co-op

The ambassador went on adding that Azerbaijan is studying prospective fields for cooperation with Algeria. The fields where the two countries can have a fruitful partnership are agriculture, construction sector, development of road infrastructure and trade.

These prospective fields for cooperation will be studied by the newly established Azerbaijani embassy in Algeria, which was established in May 2015.

"The two countries have almost no economic and trade cooperation, but there are favorable conditions and resources for this, and a lot of products, which the two countries can import and export. Agriculture is developed in Algeria, and the establishment of joint ventures and mini-plants for processing of agricultural products can be beneficial to both sides," Aliyev believes.

Aliyev also noted Algeria is rich with underground water resources, but the country hasn't enough opportunities to use these resources. Given the rich experience of Azerbaijan in this field, it can also be considered a promising field for cooperation.

Good prospects for cooperation exist in the field of science and education, the diplomat said. In the 70s of the last century a lot of Azerbaijani specialists worked in Algeria, and many Algerians studied in Azerbaijani universities.

"Now we have to find these people and involve them into cooperation. The embassy also plans to attract Algerian students to study in Azerbaijani universities, and to establish cooperation between the universities of the two countries," the diplomat added.

Algeria is also rich with ancient monuments of different cultures - Phoenician, Greek, Islamic and Ottoman, which are well preserved. Aliyev said the two countries can cooperate in the restoration and protection of monuments of culture and tourism.

"In order to give an impetus to cooperation, the embassy will also work over the organization of joint visits at various levels, including at the highest level," Aliyev noted.

Algeria recognized Azerbaijan's independence on December 20, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on April 22, 1994.

Azerbaijan-Algeria relations are successfully developing, and both countries cooperate effectively within a variety of international organizations.

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Aynur Karimova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Aynur_Karimova

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