On the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) that ended today, the Russian President met with a number of visiting heads of state, including the Presidents of Algeria and the United Arab Emirates. These two Arab countries, along with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have announced their interest in joining the BRICS.
Putin welcomed the U.A.E.’s President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, describing the U.A.E. as “definitely a very good and comfortable partner for us.” He also thanked him “for your efforts to resolve humanitarian issues during the events in Ukraine—I am referring to the exchange of detainees and other humanitarian issues.” The U.A.E. head of state responded that “we are ready to contribute to this [peace in Ukraine—ed.] in every possible way.”
Putin’s talks with the President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune Tebboune, included their signing a “Declaration on Enhanced Strategic Partnership,” with Putin noting that “Algeria is our key partner in the Arab world and in Africa… As a reminder, our country helped our Algerian friends fight colonialism and was among the first to recognize the independence of Algeria.… Our specialists, engineers and construction workers, helped build major industrial and energy infrastructure facilities, as well as important manufacturing enterprises in Algeria.”
Putin added: “Without doubt, our efforts to expand mutual transactions in national currencies are crucial. They will shield mutual trade from third countries’ impact and adverse developments on international foreign exchange markets.”
“We know that Algeria is interested in developing its national nuclear energy industry. The Rosatom State Corporation has unique experience and competences in this area. Its technology is unmatched in the world. It is ready to take part in joint projects, including those in the non-energy use of nuclear technology, for instance, in medicine and agriculture.”
Putin concluded: “As a reminder, the second Russia-Africa summit will be held in St Petersburg next month. The President has an invitation to the summit, and I very much hope that he will be able to lead the Algerian delegation in person.”
