The natural gas supply deal was signed by representatives of the Slovenian company Geoplin and Algeria’s Sonatrach for a period of three years. Its content has been worked on by the Ministry of Infrastructure team for quite some time. The contract represents an important document which has brought Slovenia additional security of natural gas supply in uncertain times, to the extent of approximately one third of its annual needs, or 300 million cubic metres of gas. Algerian gas will be delivered to Slovenia on  January 1 2023.

"By signing the deal, we get additional security of gas supply in these difficult times, hence I am pleased and proud that we have been successful," stated Infrastructure Minister Bojan Kumer at the signing ceremony.

"Our aim is to build on today's crucial strategic long-term deal for the supply of natural gas from Algeria and to increase Slovenia's gas supply from this country. We also see enormous potential for developing cooperation on renewables, with a focus on solar energy and, of course, the exchange of relevant best practices," said Minister Kumer.

During the visit, Minister Tanja Fajon met with Ramtane Lamamra, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. They agreed to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation between the two ministries of foreign affairs, which provides for concrete proposals to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, including on renewables. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to open the door to economic cooperation between the two countries," said Minister Fajon. The two ministers also discussed the opening of embassies in both countries and current developments in Europe and North Africa.

Relations between Slovenia and Algeria have been strengthened over the past year in both the political and economic spheres as a result of regular top level political meetings, the signing of an economic cooperation agreement and the gas supply deal. The two countries are also cooperating within the EUMED, an informal group of Southern and Mediterranean European countries linked by Mediterranean and EU issues. Minister Fajon also paid a courtesy call on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.