Russian FM visits Algeria as both countries mark 60 years of relations

ALGIERS, Algeria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday landed in Algeria as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

In a Twitter post, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov held talks with Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad Ramtane Lamamra.

Lavrov “took part in the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument to the heroes of the Algerian War of Independence,” the ministry added.

Russian media, meanwhile, said Lavrov will hold talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during his visit to the North African nation.

In a brief report, the state-run Algiers International Channel said Lavrov is “on a working visit” that "comes on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Algeria and Russia."

However, there were no official statements on the files that will be discussed during the top Russian diplomat’s to Algeria.

An Algerian presidency statement on April 18 said Tebboune held talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, over the phone, during which they "agreed on the importance of exchanging high-level visits between officials of the two countries, and the upcoming meeting of the joint committee for economic cooperation."

The two leaders also exchanged views on international developments, including tensions in Palestine and the Ukrainian crisis, according to the same statement.

Lavrov’s visit comes just two days after the Algerian Foreign Ministry said Lamamra discussed in a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba bilateral relations and international efforts to stop the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and its repercussions on global food security.

Algeria is a member of a contact group formed by the Arab League to mediate a solution to the Ukrainian crisis. Algeria has adopted a neutral stance in the current conflict.

At least 3,381 civilians have been killed and 3,680 others injured in Ukraine since the Ukraine war began on Feb. 24, according to UN estimates. The true toll is feared to be much higher.

More than 5.8 million people have fled to other countries, with some 7.7 million people internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar