Russia FM visits ally Algeria as EU seeks alternative gas
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited gas-producing ally Algeria for talks Tuesday as Europe jockeys to secure alternative energy supplies in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Algeria is a major gas supplier to Europe, providing 11 percent of its imports, compared with 47 percent from Russia.
Algiers abstained when the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution in March demanding Russia immediately withdraw from Ukraine.
"We very much appreciate Algeria's considered, objective and balanced position on the Ukrainian question," Lavrov told journalists after meeting his counterpart Ramtane Lamamra and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Italy, Spain and other European Union member countries have looked to Algeria as they seek to cut their dependence on Russian oil and gas.
But Algeria -- anxious to consolidate its longstanding alliance with Russia -- has repeatedly stressed that it lacks the capacity to meet such demand in the short-term.
Asked about Algeria's gas deliveries, Lavrov said that Russia, Algeria and other gas exporters "believe we should respect deals that have already been reached".
Moscow's top diplomat said trade between the two countries had hit $3 billion last year despite the coronavirus pandemic.
