Algeria is a "reliable" energy supplier, European Council President Charles Michel said on Monday during a visit to the North African country as Europe scrambles to replace Russian supplies.
"Given the international circumstances that we're all aware of, energy cooperation is obviously essential, and we see Algeria as a reliable, loyal and committed partner in the field of energy cooperation," Michel said after meeting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
European officials have been looking to Algeria, Africa's biggest gas exporter, to fill a shortfall in supplies after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February sent prices soaring.
The situation has taken on added urgency in recent days after Russia halted gas deliveries to Germany via the key Nord Stream pipeline just weeks before Autumn begins.
Before the Ukraine war, Algeria provided the European Union with some 11 percent of its gas needs, against 47 percent provided by Russia.
Algiers has seen a string of high-profile visitors in recent months seeking to boost exports.
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