PARIS – With diplomatic relations between France and Algeria reaching "historic lows," Interior minister Bruno Retailleau's threat to cut back on visas granted to nationals from the North African country may not work without EU backing.

Minister of State Katja Keul issued the following statement today (25 January 2025) ahead of her visit to Algeria: Algeria is a key player when it comes to resolving regional issues and conflicts

The President of the Algerian-French Chamber of Commerce, Michel Bisac, warned French politicians of the consequences of escalation with Algeria, and its negative impact on the French economy. In remarks reported by France Info,

New exploration and production initiatives aim to bolster Algeria’s energy sector and attract international investment through ambitious licensing rounds.

Algeria’s National Development Hydrocarbon Agency (ALNAFT) signed a deal on Wednesday with U.S. Chevron for offshore cooperation, the energy ministry said in a statement.

Algiers Province, Algeria - January 22, 2025 The Spaniard Joaquín Navarro, kidnapped in Algeria on 14 January and released on Tuesday 21 January, said on Wednesday in Algiers that he is still in a ‘state of shock’ because of the ‘complicated’ moment he has gone through and asked for a few days to be able to recover a state of calm and tranquillity’.

"Many politicians in Paris say they want to force Algeria to soften its position, but Algiers has every intention to stand firm. Algeria feels all the more emboldened by the fact that France is far less important to its economy than a few years ago," he said.

The National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT) has identified six onshore blocks for its current licensing round, which opened in November. These blocks include M’Zaid, Ahara,

Algeria signed an agreement with US energy giant Chevron on Wednesday aimed at assessing potential offshore oil resources in the Mediterranean, according to the country's energy ministry.

Italy, Germany, Austria, Algeria and Tunisia signed on Tuesday a joint declaration stating they would press ahead with a plan to build an hydrogen pipeline linking North Africa and Europe, Rome's foreign and energy ministries said.

Interesting developments are taking place in north Africa as a result of the recent regime change in Syria. And these developments are intertwined with the Ukraine war. As has been reported, Russia is looking