Russia’s Lavrov visits gas-rich ally Algeria

ALGIERS: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited gas-producing ally Algeria for talks yesterday as European nations push to secure alternative energy supplies as they seek to cut their dependence on Russian oil and gas.

Lavrov’s visit is the first since 2019 and comes as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Lavrov also laid a wreath at a memorial to fighters killed during Algeria’s war for independence from France.

Algeria provides 11% of Europe’s gas imports, compared with 47% from Russia. But industry experts say Algeria lacks the capacity to raise gas exports to replace Russian supplies in the short term.