Italy and Algeria agreed on Wednesday to cooperate on fighting terrorism and managing migration flows during an intergovernmental meeting in Rome, while companies signed new deals in energy and telecommunications.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili, following a visit to Algiers by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in March.
"Our bilateral relations have reached a level of intensity and solidity that had never been achieved before," Meloni told a news conference after the meeting.
Algeria is Italy's leading trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade worth almost 14 billion euros ($16.4 billion) and Italian investments amounting to 8.5 billion euros, according to Meloni's government.
"I express my confidence in what we have achieved at this summit. The agreements signed open broad horizons for a model strategic partnership that reflects the depth of our relations," Tebboune said.
The two governments signed 13 agreements, including one on fighting terrorism and its financing, though they did not specify which threats the pact targeted.
The countries also agreed to coordinate search and rescue operations for migrants attempting the dangerous sea crossing from North Africa to Europe.
Meloni’s right-wing government, elected in 2022, has pledged to curb migrant arrivals.
Italian energy group Eni signed a $1.3 billion production-sharing contract this month with Algerian state-owned oil and gas company Sonatrach to explore and develop hydrocarbons.
On the sidelines of the Rome meeting, Eni and Sonatrach signed an additional agreement to expand cooperation.
"We are very satisfied with the collaboration between Eni and its counterpart Sonatrach, which will become even stronger," Meloni told reporters.
Eni buys gas from Sonatrach under a long-term contract, making Algeria a key fuel supplier for Italy after Rome cut ties with Russia's Gazprom following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
A separate deal will involve Sparkle, a subsea cable company and unit of Telecom Italia (TIM), which is set to be sold to a consortium led by Italy’s Treasury later this year.
Sparkle will sign a preliminary agreement with Algerie Telecom to build a new subsea cable linking the two countries.
"Algeria is a strategic partner, and we are working hard to make this partnership ever broader, stronger and more diversified," Tajani said at a business forum attended by over 400 companies from the two nations.
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Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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