Slovenia and Algeria have extended by two years an agreement on the supply of natural gas under which Slovenia gets between a third and half of the gas it needs from the North African country.

The agreement was signed on 13 May by Geoplin, Slovenia's largest energy trader, and Algerian state-owned energy giant Sonatrach as part of a visit by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

"Based on the agreement, Geoplin will continue to provide uninterrupted supply of natural gas to its customers in Slovenia and abroad," the company said.

"The collaboration between the two companies not only strengthens Algeria's presence in the international arena, it also affirms its commitment to further expand and strengthen bilateral economic cooperation," it said.

Algeria started supplying 300 million cubic metres of natural gas per year under a three-year agreement in 2023, with the volume increasing to 500 million cubic metres last year.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Robert Golob along with an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on the strengthening of bilateral relations and deepening of cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

A memorandum of understanding on regular political consultations between the foreign ministers, and a memorandum of understanding on police cooperation in fighting cross-border crime and managing migrations were signed as well.

Golob described the memoranda as the basis for a deepening of cooperation. He said the police cooperation agreement was particularly important.

"I believe that this agreement can be a mode for other European countries on how to deal with a matter as important as illegal migrations in the Mediterranean," he said.

Tebboune likewise welcomed the agreement and expressed the wish that "our countries deepen cooperation in all possible areas."

Moreover, he said, "the relationship we have with Slovenia exceeds cooperation based on bilateral agreements."

President Nataša Pirc Musar, the official host of President Tebboune, lauded the agreements as the next step in the strengthening of bilateral cooperation.

"At today's talks we all, together with the ministers and the president, agreed to strengthen the cooperation," she said.

She highlighted AI, renewables, agriculture, information and communication technology, waterways monitoring technology and space technology as areas where closer ties were possible.

The two presidents also discussed current affairs, including the conflicts in Ukraine and Middle East and the situation in the Western Balkans.

Also on the agenda was cooperation in the UN Security Council where both countries are currently non-permanent members. Pirc Musar expressed Slovenia's position on the Western Sahara issue. Slovenia advocates for a fair and lasting solution under the auspices of the UN.