Italy and Algeria Agree to Jointly Tackle Terrorism and Migration, Sign Energy and Telecom Deals

Italy and Algeria have agreed to increase cooperation on key security issues including terrorism and migration. This agreement came during a high-level intergovernmental meeting in Rome where Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The two leaders signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at fighting terrorism and its financing. Though the specific threats were not detailed, both countries emphasized the importance of addressing shared security challenges.

Another major focus was migration. Italy and Algeria will coordinate efforts to conduct search and rescue operations for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Europe. Italy’s government, led by the right-wing Meloni, has made curbing irregular migration a top priority.

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The summit represents a deepening of relations between the two countries. Algeria is already Italy’s top trading partner in Africa. Trade between them is worth nearly 14 billion euros annually, and Italy has invested about 8.5 billion euros in the country.

The meeting also builds on a recent visit by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to Algiers in March. During a speech at the summit’s business forum, Tajani highlighted the growing ties, calling Algeria a strategic partner and emphasizing the goal of making the relationship broader, stronger, and more diversified.

Beyond security and politics, the summit also produced several major business agreements. Italy and Algeria signed deals in energy and telecommunications involving key national companies.

Italian energy group Eni has already signed a 1.3 billion dollar production sharing contract with Algerian oil and gas company Sonatrach to explore and develop hydrocarbons in Algeria. At the summit, the companies also agreed to expand their collaboration further.

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This partnership is particularly important for Italy, which has sought new energy sources after ending most of its energy ties with Russia due to the war in Ukraine. Algeria has since become one of Italy’s top suppliers of natural gas under a long-term contract between Eni and Sonatrach.

Another significant deal came in the telecommunications sector. Sparkle, a submarine cable firm owned by Telecom Italia, signed a preliminary agreement with Algerie Telecom to build a new subsea internet cable linking the two countries. This cable is expected to boost digital connectivity and infrastructure between Europe and North Africa.

Sparkle is also set to be sold later this year to a consortium led by Italy’s Treasury, further highlighting its strategic value.

In total, the summit brought together over 400 companies from both countries. Leaders from both sides see the partnership not just as a diplomatic alliance but also as a strong economic relationship with room to grow.

With agreements now in place on security, migration, energy, and telecommunications, Italy and Algeria are positioning themselves as long-term partners across multiple sectors.

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