Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced Monday in Algiers that Italy signed an energy cooperation deal with Algeria to reduce its dependence on natural gas from Russia.
Before the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia supplied Italy with 29 billion cubic meters of gas per year, accounting for around 40 percent of the country's total usage, according to data from Draghi's office. Algeria was second on that list, supplying 21 billion cubic meters per year via the Trans-Mediterranean pipeline.
Under the terms of Monday's agreement, Algeria will provide an additional nine billion cubic meters of gas, allowing Italy to reduce imports from Russia and moving Algeria to the top spot.
After meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Draghi told a press conference in Algiers that the two governments signed a broad declaration of intent focused on bilateral cooperation on energy-related issues along with the deal to export more gas to Italy.
Monday's agreement is "a significant response" to Italy's strategic goal of reducing dependence on Russian gas, Draghi said, adding "other agreements will follow."
The technical aspects of the gas agreement will be carried out by Italian energy giant Eni and Algeria's Sonatrach.
Editor: Galia
