Italy turns to Algeria to boost gas supplies amid regional tensions

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has announced closer energy cooperation with Algeria to increase gas supplies to Italy, as deliveries from Qatar have been disrupted by regional tensions.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during an official visit to Algiers on Wednesday, Meloni said the two countries had agreed to deepen their already strong partnership through their national energy companies, Italy’s Eni and Algeria’s Sonatrach.

“We have decided to strengthen our already very strong cooperation by working in new areas such as shale gas and offshore exploration,” she said, adding that this would help increase the flow of Algerian gas to Italy.

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Meloni noted that Algeria currently meets more than 30 per cent of Italy’s natural gas needs. Supplies are delivered via the TransMed pipeline, which is operating at full capacity, as well as through liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments by sea.

President Tebboune described the partnership between the two countries as strategic across several sectors, particularly energy. He said Algeria is committed to meeting all its obligations as a reliable partner to Italy and Europe.

Meloni also praised the “deep friendship” between the two nations, which have supported each other on multiple occasions. The visit concluded with the establishment of an Algerian-Italian chamber of commerce aimed at unlocking untapped potential in bilateral economic ties.

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