At the invitation of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Algerian president begins a three-day state visit to Moscow on Tuesday, June 13, against a backdrop of war in Ukraine and major military contracts. This visit is part “in the framework of the strengthening of cooperation between the two friendly countries”, underlines a press release from the Algerian presidency.
This is the first time since former President Bouteflika’s trip to Moscow in 2008 that an Algerian president has been received for an official visit to Russia. During this trip, Abdelmadjid Tebboune will also participate in the work of the International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg which will be held from June 14 to 17, the same source added.
Algiers and Moscow have long-standing privileged relations. Trade between the two countries is around three billion dollars and is based “largely on mechanical construction, metallurgy, agri-food”, according to the Russian economic mission in Algeria.
Military cooperation is no exception. Moscow is a major arms supplier to Africa’s largest country by area.
President Tebboune was also due to make a state visit to France in June, but according to press reports, this trip, initially planned for May, risks being postponed again. At the Élysée, it is pointed out that the two parties are “in discussion to find a date that may be suitable”.