Latest news with #LounesMagramane
Business Insider
11 hours ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Algeria–U.S. energy ties grow amid Western Sahara tensions
Algeria is taking strategic steps to expand its energy partnership with the United States as tensions over the Western Sahara dispute continue to mount. Algeria is enhancing its energy partnership with the U.S. amidst Western Sahara tensions. Washington shows interest in reviving Western Sahara negotiations ahead of a UN session. Economic partnerships align with Algeria's diplomatic strategies and regional positioning. This renewed engagement comes as part of Algeria's broader push to assert economic diplomacy in the face of growing international pressure surrounding the long-standing territorial issue. On June 24, the Secretary-General of Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lounes Magramane, met with U.S. Ambassador Elizabeth Moore Aubin to discuss regional developments and bilateral cooperation. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties, with Ambassador Aubin later emphasizing the importance of this dialogue through her social media platforms. As U.S. interest in the Western Sahara issue intensifies, reports indicate that Washington may be looking to revive stalled negotiations ahead of a key UN Security Council session scheduled for October. The Trump administration is said to support Morocco's 2007 autonomy proposal, prompting Algeria to step up its own diplomatic efforts. Algeria deepens energy investment with US firms In a parallel move on the economic front, Algeria has opened its doors wider to American energy investors. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently held back-to-back meetings with top executives from Chevron and ExxonMobil. Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab and Sonatrach CEO Rachid Hachichi were also present, signaling a unified and high-level push for foreign partnership. Central to Algeria's new approach is a proposed energy law that would allow foreign companies to hold up to 80 percent ownership in new oil and gas ventures marking a major shift from previous investment rules. Minister Arkab described the legislation as a transformative step, aimed at modernizing the sector while maintaining national resource control. Earlier this year, Algeria's Ambassador to the U.S., Sabri Boukadoum, also expressed the country's openness to negotiating broad resource-based agreements with Washington, stating that 'the sky's the limit.' As efforts to reignite UN-led talks on Western Sahara remain uncertain, Algeria's energy overtures could serve both as an economic opportunity and a calculated diplomatic response.
Ya Biladi
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Algeria summons French ambassador over planned French-Moroccan military exercises
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the French ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet, to formally protest France's participation in joint military exercises with Morocco. During a meeting with the French diplomat, the ministry's Secretary-General, Lounes Magramane, underscored «the seriousness of the Franco-Moroccan military exercises scheduled for next September in Errachidia, near the Algerian border—'Chergui 2025,' a name that carries strong connotations». Magramane further conveyed that «Algeria views this exercise as a provocation», warning that such actions could escalate the ongoing crisis in Algerian-French relations and heighten tensions between the two countries. The Secretary-General also urged the French ambassador to «seek the necessary clarifications on this matter and relay Algeria's stance to his authorities in the exact terms communicated». This diplomatic move comes despite the absence of an official announcement regarding the maneuvers. However, some media reports suggest that representatives from both armies have already held coordination meetings in preparation. It is worth noting that Algeria has frequently conducted military exercises near the Moroccan border, using live ammunition—most notably in May 2023 in the Béchar region, in January 2021 south of Tindouf, and in May of the same year in Oran.
Morocco World
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Algeria Warns France Over ‘Provocative' Joint Military Drills with Morocco Near Border
Rabat– Algeria has issued a warning to France regarding the upcoming joint military drills with Morocco, scheduled for September near the Algerian border. The Algerian government has deemed the planned exercise a 'provocative' action that they claim could exacerbate the already tense relations between the two nations. According to the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary-General Lounes Magramane met with the French Ambassador to Algeria, Stephane Romatet, to discuss the French-Moroccan military maneuvers. Dubbed 'Sharki 2025,' they are set to take place in the Rachidia region, close to Algeria's southwestern border. Magramane expressed Algeria's concerns to the ambassador, warning that the exercises could escalate the existing crisis between the two countries. He stressed that such actions would further strain relations and potentially lead to more dangerous consequences. The Algerian secretary general also called on France to clarify its position on the exercise, elevating the regime's perceived risk it poses to regional stability. He requested that the ambassador convey Algeria's concerns to the French government. This warning is part of the growing diplomatic tensions between Algeria and France, fueled by various issues, including the 1968 migration agreement, recent comments from French officials regarding Algeria, and the regime's refusal to cooperate on certain key consular issues. The 'Sharki 2025' exercise, marking the second of its kind, is set to begin on September 22, 2025, near Algeria's southwestern border in Bechar. The initial planning of the initiative occurred during a meeting at the French military inspection headquarters in Sale on May 22 and 23, 2024, with the goal of coordinating resources and equipment between the two countries. Furthermore, a tentative date for the exercise has been scheduled for September 22, 2025. The training will take place in designated areas, including the Artillery Training Center (CTM) 'Rahmat Allah' and 'Afrido' in the Rachidia region, located less than 100 kilometers from Bechar. Tags: Algeriafrance algeria tensionsMorocco Algeria borders
