Algeria, China Sign a Strategic Cooperation Plan

Algerian and Chinese foreign ministers sign the first cooperation plan in 2017 (Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Algeria)
Algerian and Chinese foreign ministers sign the first cooperation plan in 2017 (Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Algeria)
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Algeria, China Sign a Strategic Cooperation Plan

Algerian and Chinese foreign ministers sign the first cooperation plan in 2017 (Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Algeria)
Algerian and Chinese foreign ministers sign the first cooperation plan in 2017 (Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Algeria)

Algeria and China have signed the second five-year comprehensive strategic cooperation plan 2022-2026, Algeria’s ministry of foreign affairs and national community abroad said Tuesday in a statement.

This comes one day after the Algerian government submitted an official request to join the political and economic BRICS group that includes Russia and China.

Observers see that this step indicates that Algeria aims to reinforce its choice of allies.

The statement said the pact was signed by Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

According to the ministry, the plan aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in different fields, including economy, industry, energy, space, and culture.

“The two sides intend to take the opportunity to implement this five-year plan to deepen practical cooperation between them in all fields, ensure the continuous enrichment of the elements of the comprehensive strategic bilateral partnership, and bring benefits to both friendly countries and peoples”, the statement read.

Both countries launched the first cooperation plan on 7 June 2017, and it was the first of its kind experience for China with an Arab state.

Foreign Ministry official Leyla Zarruki said that Algeria has officially requested to join the BRICS economic group.

Sputnik reported that Moscow welcomed Algeria's intention to join the BRICS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Tuesday.

"Of course, we welcome the desire of our partners and like-minded people to join the work of such formats as BRICS, SCO [Shanghai Cooperation Organization]. We have a trust-based dialogue with Algeria, it is being maintained," Bogdanov said.

BRICS, an emerging-market group that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represents approximately 40 percent of the global population and accounts for about 25 percent of the global economy.

Faysal Izdarin, an Algerian researcher in political sociology residing in France, confirmed that Algeria would benefit from joining BRICS and will acquire the required support as part of its plan to diversify the economy and explore investment opportunities.



Türkiye, Israel Have Begun Talks to Avoid Clashes in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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Türkiye, Israel Have Begun Talks to Avoid Clashes in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Turkish and Israeli officials began talks on Wednesday aimed at preventing unwanted incidents in Syria, where militaries of the two regional powers are active, Turkish ministry sources said on Thursday. 

The sources said the technical talks, in Azerbaijan, marked the beginning of efforts to set up a channel to avoid potential clashes or misunderstandings over military operations in the region. 

"Efforts will continue to establish this mechanism," one of the sources said, without providing further details on the scope or timeline of the talks. 

The initiative comes a week after Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, which it described as a warning to the newly formed government in Damascus. It has also accused Türkiye of attempting to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate. 

Reuters reported last week that Turkish military teams had inspected at least three air bases in Syria where they could deploy forces as part of a planned joint defense pact with Damascus - before Israel hit the sites with airstrikes. 

Türkiye and Israel - which have traded diplomatic barbs since Israel's attacks began on Gaza in 2023 - each said last week they did not seek confrontation in Syria, which both border. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Wednesday that technical talks were taking place, emphasizing that such mechanisms were necessary to prevent misunderstandings between the two regional powers' forces. 

The talks were similar to deconfliction mechanisms Türkiye has with the US and Russia, he said on broadcaster CNN Turk.