Algeria and Russia discussed strengthening their military cooperation on Monday during a visit to Algiers by Russian Security Council Secretary Nicholai Patrushev, the Algerian Defense Ministry said.
The Russian official, accompanied by a large delegation, spoke with the Chief of Staff of the Algerian army Said Chanegriha of “the state of military cooperation between the armies of the two countries and the means of its strengthening,” according to a statement from the ministry.
This visit “represents, for us, the expression of the firm and frank will that drives the two countries to further strengthen the strategic and historical partnership that characterizes their bilateral relations, particularly in the field of military cooperation”, said Mr. Chanegriha.
Mr. Patrouchev, quoted in the statement, said for his part that his country was working to “further strengthen” relations between Algeria and Russia.
During this visit, the secretary of the Russian Security Council was also received by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, according to images broadcast by public television.
Moscow is a major arms supplier to Algeria, Africa’s largest country by area. Mr. Tebboune is due to make a state visit to Russia during the month of May.
Algiers and Moscow have long-standing privileged relations. In 2021, trade between the two countries reached three billion dollars, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
