Algeria interested in developing cooperation with Latvia in areas of modern technology - Foreign Ministry

RIGA - On February 9, Riga hosted the second political consultations between Latvia and Algeria, led by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andzejs Viļumsons, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, Lounes Magramane, LETA learned from the Foreign Ministry.

The talks focused on opportunities to revitalize bilateral relations between the two countries, including strengthening economic cooperation, addressing current regional and global security issues, collaborating on matters related to the UN Security Council, and developing relations between the European Union and Algeria.

The officials stressed the need to strengthen political dialogue and acknowledged the positive dynamics in economic cooperation over the past five years. Trade turnover between the two countries reached EUR 27.2 million in the first 11 months of 2025, representing an increase of almost 83 percent compared with the same period in 2024.

According to Vilumsons, grain currently dominates Latvia’s exports to Algeria, and Latvia is interested in diversifying its trade. Magramane confirmed Algeria’s interest in developing cooperation with Latvia in the areas of information and communication technologies (ICT), digitalization, and financial technology.

Vilumsons urged Algeria to support Ukraine and informed about Latvia’s firm position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. He drew attention to disinformation campaigns and the instrumentalization of migrants by Russia and Belarus, while emphasizing Russia’s destabilizing role in Africa.

As regards security matters, Algeria shared its views on the situation in the Sahel region and North Africa, voicing concern over the unstable security environment.

Magramane wished Latvia success in promoting international peace and security during its first term on the UN Security Council in 2026-2027.

The talks also touched upon issues concerning relations between the European Union and Algeria. Latvia acknowledged Algeria’s significant role in strengthening the European Union’s energy security. Algeria is the third largest supplier of natural gas to the EU.

The first political consultations between the Latvian and Algerian Ministries of Foreign Affairs were held in Algeria in March 2016.