Overview of Egypt-Algeria relations: 65 years of diplomatic ties

CAIRO – 2 August 2017: Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdel Qader Mesahel, discussed Wednesday Algerian-Egyptian relations with his counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. Msahel’s official visit to Cairo is part of a planned Arabian tour that includes eight countries to follow on the latest political updates.

The Minister delivered a written message from President, Abdelaziz Boutaflika, to President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. Furthermore, the ministers discussed ways to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields, in addition to important regional and international issues of common interest, especially the Libyan conflict.

In a joint press conference between the two ministers, Shoukry stressed that both Egypt and Algeria do not have any ambitions in Libya, but to restore stability in the country that directly impact the security of both countries. He added that coordination between the two countries is important to counter terrorism.

The leadership in both Egypt and Algeria is keen to preserve strong relations in various political, economic, and cultural levels that date back to 1952.


Egypt-Algeria political relations

 The political relations between the two countries date back to the 1952 revolution in Egypt. The Egyptian government led by the late President, Gamal Abdel Nasser, supported the Algerian resistance against the French colonialism.

 In 1954, the Algerian revolution was announced from the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Egypt fully supported the Algerian revolution on the political, military and media levels. Furthermore, Egypt promoted the Algerians right to independence at international forums.

 In 1956, the Tripartite aggression on Egypt (aggression by France, Britain and Israel) started as a result of Egypt’s position to support the Algerian National Liberation Front revolution.

 Despite the aggression, Egypt continued to support Algeria and achieved a United Nations (UN) resolution to recognize Algeria’s right in independence in 1960. As a result of this resolution, Algeria became independent in July, 1962.

 In 1962, former President, Abdel Nasser, made his first official visit to Algeria.

 In 1973, following news from Europe that Israel is planning to attack Egypt, former Algerian President, Houri Boumedian, requested the Soviet Union then to provide Egypt with all necessary aircrafts and weapons. Algeria paid the cost of these weapons to the Soviet Union. The late President, Anwar Sadat, attributed Egypt's victory in 1973 to Saudi King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz and Algerian President Houari Boumediene.

 On the 50th anniversary of the Algerian revolution, the Algerians confirmed in a speech at the Arab League meeting in 2012, the vital role that Egypt has played to ensure the success of their revolution and independence.

 In 2014, Foreign Minister, Nabil Fahmy, headed the Egyptian delegation during the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Algeria. During the visit, Fahmy discussed bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

 On June 25,2014 President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made his first official visit abroad since his election, to Algeria to discuss Egyptian-Algerian coordination on regional security issues amid rising terrorist activity in Libya.

 In 2015, Algerian Prime Minister, Abdelmalek Sallal, visited Egypt to attend the Arab summit at its 26th session.

 In 2016, al-Sisi received the Algerian Interior Minister Noureddine Badawi.
 In 2017, Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, visited Algeria to participate in the tripartite meeting on the situation in Libya.

 August, 2, 2017, Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdel Qader Mesahel, visits Egypt to discuss Egyptian-Algerian relations.


Egypt-Algeria economic relations

 In 1991 a trade agreement was signed between the two countries to regulate bilateral economic and trade relations.

 In 2001, Algerian and Egypt established the board of Algerian-Egyptian businessmen on the sidelines of the fourth session of the joint Egyptian-Algerian committee.

 The Egyptian exports to Algeria reached about LE 1,500,000 billion ($83 trillion) in 2012. The Main exports to Algeria include: cement, iron and steel bars, copper wires, wood, vegetables, and garments.

 The Egyptian imports from Algeria in 2009 reached LE 895,568,000 million. The Egyptian imports from Algeria include: Liquefied natural gas, propane gas, cardboard and condensers for air conditioning.

 Egypt ranks first among countries investing in Algeria outside the fuel sector. The Egyptian investments in Algeria, according to the 2008 statistics, reached approximately $5.3 billion.

 Egypt has about 32 investment projects in Algeria amounting $4,890,000 million.
Algeria hosts around 2000 Egyptians, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.