EU signs energy agreement with Algeria

Algeria and the European Union have agreed to co-operate on energy in the future. EU President Manuel Barroso announced yesterday the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to work […]

Algeria and the European Union have agreed to co-operate on energy in the future.

EU President Manuel Barroso announced yesterday the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to work together in oil and gas, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The African state which is partially covered by the Sahara desert (pictured) is the world’s fifth largest net exporter of natural gas according to the International Energy Agency’s 2011 statistics, pumping nearly 50 billion cubic metres of gas abroad.

Mr Barroso highlighted this fuel as an area for co-operation, stating: “Algeria is a major supplier to Europe, while Europe is by far the largest customer of Algeria.”

Describing the link between EU and Algeria as “a strong relationship based on mutual respect and trust”, he said the future of this relationship looks “very promising”.

Energy is a “priority” for ​​the Euro-Mediterranean partnership because it’s key to a shared region’s “stability and prosperity”, he added.

Algerian gas made the headlines last year when a gas drilling site in the country partly owned by BP was attacked.

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