On orders from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune during his official Belgium visit, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Diaspora, and African Affairs Ahmed Attaf announced several action areas to elevate bilateral ties. Speaking in Brussels this Tuesday, he said these match both nations’ shared goals, according to a ministry statement.
Attaf made the remarks to reporters after talks with Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot. Economic priorities led the agenda. The top diplomat stressed that “our first focus is boosting trade volume, now around $1.5 billion, though much greater potential exists.”
He pushed for “smoother entry of Algerian goods into Belgian and European markets,” naming farm and food products, steel, cement derivatives, and pharmaceuticals. This aligns with Algiers’ drive to broaden exports and deepen European market footholds.
Alger and Brussels aim to revive institutional frameworks too. Attaf said “secondly, we must restart bilateral mechanisms like the Joint Economic Cooperation Commission and Business Council to refresh our alliance.” Both agreed to update legal structures, with Attaf pledging “modernizing our cooperation framework—refreshing current tools and signing fresh deals to unlock even brighter prospects.”
Politically, steady dialogue underpins relations. Attaf welcomed the trip coming “just months after my colleague Maxime Prévot’s July visit to Algeria,” following the fifth round of political consultations. “This steady rhythm signals keen interest, vigor, and mutual trust,” he said, adding plans for a sixth round in Brussels come September.
On sectoral collaboration, Attaf noted with approval that it “is steadily gaining depth and reach,” yielding “concrete outcomes” in air and sea transport, ship repair and building, hospital partnerships, judicial mutual aid, environment, and migration management.
Economically, he highlighted “rising Belgian business interest in Algeria,” marked by “a new economic office opening in Algiers last October.” Attaf urged Belgian firms to “expand their Algerian footprint and grab abundant investment chances” in energy (fossil and green), mining, Saharan farming, industry, transport, and tech innovation.
Middle East Situation Discussed
Talks also covered regional and global issues. On the Middle East, Attaf warned of “alarming military escalation,” hoping “reason prevails so parties return to dialogue and diplomacy—the only lasting path to resolving conflicts.”
He insisted “the international community must not overlook the Palestinian cause, whose fair, lasting settlement remains vital for Middle East peace, security, and stability.”
During the visit, Attaf signed two deals to solidify legal frameworks. One grants visa waivers for diplomatic passport holders; the other eases people-to-people travel between nations.