Algeria – The Minister of State, Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies, Mohamed Arkab, received on Wednesday in Algiers, the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Industry of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vedran Lakić, with whom he discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, according to a statement from the ministry.
The meeting took place between Mr. Arqab and the Bosnian minister, who was accompanied by a delegation from the Bosnian national electricity company “EnergoInvest,” at the ministry’s headquarters, in the presence of the Secretary of State to the Minister of Energy, in charge of renewable energies, Nourredine Yassaa, the CEO of Sonatrach Group, Rachid Hachichi, the CEO of Sonelgaz Group, Mourad Adjoul, the CEO of Sonarim Group, Belkacem Soltani, in addition to senior officials from both sides.
During the talks, both sides emphasized the “depth of the strong and historical friendship between the two countries” and reviewed the prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the fields of energy, mining, and renewable energies. They also praised the existing partnership between Sonelgaz and the Bosnian national company Energoinvest, which represents a “successful model” of joint cooperation, according to the statement.
The two sides specifically discussed investment opportunities and partnership potentials in the fields of hydrocarbons, particularly liquefied natural gas, as well as the production, transmission, distribution, and conversion of electricity, and network development, with a focus on integrating modern technologies and enhancing local industrial capacities in manufacturing equipment and spare parts for the hydrocarbons and electricity industries.
The two parties emphasized the importance of knowledge and technology transfer and the expansion of training programs to enhance human skills in these sectors, according to the same source.
The discussions also focused on developing photovoltaic solar energy projects, green hydrogen, and wind energy, with the aim of integrating these energies into electrical systems and supporting the energy transition pathway and improving energy efficiency.
Cooperation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful uses, geological studies, mapping, exploration, and the exploitation and transformation of mineral resources was also highlighted, with an emphasis on the importance of establishing mutually beneficial partnerships.
On this occasion, Mr. Arqab affirmed Algeria’s readiness to share its expertise in the fields of energy and natural resource exploitation, as well as in renewable energies and reducing the carbon footprint, noting that “close cooperation” with the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina could open wide horizons for developing joint projects that would benefit both countries.
For his part, Mr. Lakic expressed his appreciation for the quality of the bilateral relations between Algeria and the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, noting his eagerness to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.
He also affirmed his country’s commitment to seizing all available opportunities to expand cooperation in the fields of electricity, renewable energies, and mining.
He also praised the success of “Energuinvest” in Algeria, considering it a testament to the great potential for enhancing economic partnership.
He added that “efforts are ongoing to strengthen the company’s presence in Algeria by enhancing the presence of its executives, expanding its office, and actively engaging in the implementation of ongoing and future projects in Algeria, especially in the fields of electricity and renewable energies.”
The meeting concluded by emphasizing the importance of utilizing the available resources of both countries and working towards building a strategic and sustainable partnership that serves the mutual interests of both nations, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies.
