Algeria, Slovenia ink deal to boost gas exports

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (L) shakes hands with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob during their meeting in Algiers, Algeria, on May 27, 2024. [Xinhua]

Algeria and Slovenia signed on Monday several cooperation agreements, including a deal to boost Algeria's gas exports to Slovenia, Algeria's official APS news agency reported.

The deal was signed between  Algerian energy giant Sonatrach and Slovenia's natural gas trader Geoplin in Algeria's capital Algiers, in the presence of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, according to the report.

Under the deal, Algeria will increase its natural gas exports to Slovenia via the gas pipeline linking Algeria to Italy across the Mediterranean.

Also on Monday, the two countries inked a cooperation agreement to grant both countries' diplomatic passport holders short-term visa exemption.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two sides regarding artificial intelligence.

The Algerian president also discussed international issues, including the developments in the Gaza Strip, with the Slovenian prime minister, who started a state visit to the North African nation on Monday.