Algeria is hosting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for two days of strategic dialogue aimed at reinforcing long-standing bilateral ties and expanding regional cooperation across key sectors.
Fidan arrived in Algiers on Saturday for high-level meetings with Algerian officials, including his counterpart, Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. The two are co-chairing the third session of the Algeria-Türkiye Joint Planning Group (JPG), a mechanism that monitors progress under the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLCC).
Fidan is also scheduled to meet with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and inaugurate Türkiye’s new Consulate General in Oran—marking an expansion of Ankara’s diplomatic footprint in North Africa.
Focus on Trade, Energy and Defense
Central to the discussions are preparations for the next HLCC meeting, which is expected to take place in Türkiye during President Tebboune’s forthcoming state visit. Both countries are reviewing a range of pending agreements designed to enhance the legal and institutional framework governing bilateral cooperation.
Türkiye is pushing to increase trade with Algeria to $10 billion, and Fidan is expected to emphasize the need for both sides to seize economic opportunities to reach that target. Energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of the relationship, with Ankara increasingly viewing Algeria as a critical partner in its strategy to diversify energy imports.
Defense industry collaboration is also on the agenda, with both sides exploring mutually beneficial projects. The talks extend to geopolitical issues as well, including developments in Libya, Syria, Gaza, and the Sahel—regions where both countries have overlapping interests and growing diplomatic footprints.
Track Record of Engagement
Fidan’s visit follows a series of engagements that have strengthened bilateral ties. The two foreign ministers last met in February on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, and Attaf recently participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye earlier this month.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s state visits to Algeria in 2018 and 2020 were pivotal in shaping the current strategic framework. His 2020 visit led to the establishment of the HLCC, which held its inaugural session in 2022 during Tebboune’s visit to Türkiye. That meeting produced 15 bilateral agreements and a joint declaration.
The JPG, created to track implementation of HLCC commitments, first met in Algiers in December 2022 and reconvened in Ankara in September 2023. Both meetings were co-chaired by Fidan and Attaf.
Economic Footprint Expands
Algeria has become a focal point for Turkish economic interests in Africa. With over 1,400 Turkish companies active in the country—including 60 in the construction sector—direct investments from Türkiye have reached $6 billion. The bilateral trade volume stood at $6.42 billion in 2024, underscoring a steadily expanding economic partnership.
As strategic talks continue in Algiers, both nations appear determined to anchor their relationship in shared economic ambitions and regional stability—further solidifying Algeria’s role as a key player in Türkiye’s Africa strategy.