Before his upcoming journeys to Tunisia and Algeria, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) stressed the vital importance of strengthening cooperation with North African nations. Speaking on Monday, he stated that given ongoing global upheavals and instability, closer collaboration with geographical neighbors in North Africa is crucial for both Germany and Europe. He added that Algeria and Tunisia share the common goal of achieving sustainable stability in the Sahel region. Furthermore, Wadephul emphasized that easing the situation in the Middle East, particularly concerning the sea lanes of the Arabian Peninsula, is paramount for the security and supply chains of Europe.
Regarding the bilateral relationships, Wadephul pointed out that Germany constitutes the third-largest export market for Tunisia, noting that robust supply relationships with Tunisia are essential for German industry, especially the automotive sector. Meanwhile, he characterized Algeria as a strategic partner in both energy and security policy. Algeria is one of the most important gas suppliers to the European Union and holds significant potential for the production of green hydrogen. He also mentioned that an agreement was reached in July to deepen their existing energy supply partnership.
