Attaf Leads Key Bilateral Meetings at UN General Assembly

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf conducted intense diplomatic activity during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, holding numerous bilateral meetings with foreign ministers and high-level officials. This diplomatic engagement underscored Algeria's commitment to fostering international partnerships and addressing global challenges. Notably, Minister Attaf held working sessions with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and the U.S. President's Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos. These discussions highlighted the remarkable development of relations between Algeria and the United States, with both parties affirming their shared commitment to strengthen and broaden ties in priority sectors, including energy, economy, and trade, in alignment with their mutual interests. The officials also discussed regional developments in Libya, Sudan, and the Gulf, agreeing to continue coordination on developments regarding Western Sahara.

Furthering Algeria's diplomatic outreach, Minister Attaf met with his counterparts from Spain, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. Discussions with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares reviewed the positive trajectory of cooperation between Algiers and Madrid, particularly in economic, energy, and commercial trade sectors, while also addressing preparations for an upcoming Algerian-Spanish high-level meeting in October, which will include a business forum. Meetings with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard focused on expanding economic cooperation, including industrial investment, and with Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, on strengthening bilateral ties in energy, higher education, and trade, ahead of a planned visit by the Czech Prime Minister to Algeria. Minister Attaf also engaged with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, discussing ways to enhance cooperation, expand economic partnership and trade, and exchanging views on regional and international matters, including the Middle East, the Sahel, and Western Sahara, with an agreement to continue consultation and coordination in bilateral and multilateral forums, emphasizing political solutions grounded in international law and the UN Charter. During his European discussions, Minister Attaf raised concerns about obstacles to Algerian exports to EU markets, stressing the need for resolution within the Association Agreement to ensure balanced interests.

In addition to his engagements with European and American officials, Minister Attaf met with several African counterparts, including the Foreign Ministers of Niger, South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria, and Eritrea. His discussions with Nigerien Foreign Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré reaffirmed the mutual desire to consolidate cooperation across various sectors, such as hydrocarbons, energy, trade, agriculture, and infrastructure. Key projects like the Niamey power plant and the Kafra oil block development were emphasized, alongside Algeria's readiness to support Niger in the development and commercialization of its natural resources. The strategic importance of regional interconnection projects, including the Trans-Saharan Highway and the Nigeria-Algeria gas pipeline, was also highlighted. The Nigerien minister expressed appreciation for Algeria's support and shared expertise in energy, infrastructure, education, and health. Moreover, Minister Attaf participated in a high-level meeting commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development and attended the annual coordination meeting of foreign ministers from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where he advocated for strengthening the organization's effectiveness through multilateral action and strict adherence to international law.