Putin Stresses Energy in Algeria Talks

President Vladimir Putin and his Algerian counterpart, Abdelaziz Boutelfika, pledged greater cooperation on energy and railroads at a Kremlin meeting Tuesday, but kept mum about the fate of a controversial arms deal to supply Algeria with MiG fighter jets.

Against a background of continued speculation about the creation of an OPEC-style gas cartel, the leaders of the two major gas-producing countries pledged to work closely on energy issues.
“It is vital for us to remain in contact over questions and problems of energy, especially because Algeria is currently heading OPEC,” Putin said at the meeting.

In an interview with Itar-Tass published ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, Boutelfika called for the two countries to “coordinate” their energy policies.

Boutelfika was accompanied on his two-day Moscow visit by Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil. Khelil is currently serving as president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

European authorities have recently become concerned over improved energy links between Russia and Algeria, which together account for over 65 percent of the Europe Union’s gas imports.

As concrete proof of the good energy relations, Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said that state companies Gazprom and Sonatrach could rekindle a cooperation agreement that fell apart late last year.

Moscow Times