BILATERAL RELATIONS

Political Relations

Algeria and Peru have long-standing relations of friendship and cooperation, characterized by a convergence of views on many international and regional issues of common interest, which were consolidated with the establishment of diplomatic relations on March 10, 1972.

This rapprochement, marked by common positions on international issues, particularly on questions related to decolonization and the right of peoples to self-determination, took place in the context of South-South cooperation and the rise of the Non-Aligned Movement.

In 1957, as part of their support for the war of national liberation, a group of committed Peruvian intellectuals founded the “Committee of Friends of Independent Algeria”, chaired by the late César Guardia Mayorga.

In 2005, a significant boost was given to relations between the two countries. An important energy and mining cooperation agreement, a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a bilateral political consultation mechanism and a reciprocal visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, special or service passports, among others, were signed, allowing both countries to strengthen their relations and address several issues on the regional and international agenda.

The energy cooperation took the form of the participation of the Algerian state hydrocarbons company “Sonatrach” in the Camisea and TGP consortiums, concessionaires in charge of the exploitation and transportation of natural gas, respectively, whose fields are located in the province of La Convención, Cusco region, Peru.                     

The IV Session of the Peru-Algeria Political Consultation Mechanism was held in Lima, on May 5, 2022, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement for the establishment of said mechanism signed on May 18, 2005. It was held in person and was a valuable framework for bilateral political dialogue and coordination of cooperation programs between the two countries. 

Both parties welcomed the contacts established between the Chambers of Commerce of both countries, as well as between the promotion agencies and their peers such as PROMPERÚ, PROINVERSIÓN, ANDI and CACI. The strengthening of contacts and bilateral trade was urged.

In the energy and mining fields, both parties discussed the status of the legal framework for cooperation in these areas, taking as a precedent the agreement signed in May 2005, in order to find the most suitable way to enhance and adapt cooperation and thus respond to current needs and opportunities.

The talks were also aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation in other areas, such as the protection of cultural assets, preventive management of risks and disasters, the transfer of knowledge in agricultural crops such as potatoes, and the eventual supply and commercial exchange of fertilizers in the face of global shortages.

Likewise, Algeria has a vast experience of more than 40 years in the training of technicians in the different branches of the oil industry (gas and oil), and has the capacity to offer training courses for Peruvian technicians, taught by teachers and experts from the Algerian Petroleum Institute (IAP).

In the field of scientific and technical cooperation between Peru and Algeria, it is worth mentioning the cooperation in the cultivation of potato seeds, carried out in Algeria by a Peruvian expert in coordination with Algerian counterparts.

Economic Relations

The investments made by Algeria in Peru make our country the largest investor among African countries, thanks to investments in the hydrocarbon sector, through the Algerian state-owned company “Sonatrach”. 

Sonatrach's investments in Peru amount to almost 1.1 billion US dollars, through its participation in the Camisea and Transportadora de Gas del Peru (TGP) consortiums.

In addition to its participation in these two consortia, “Sonatrach” voluntarily carried out social responsibility projects in poor regions of Peru. These mainly consist of productive projects of an agricultural nature, whose beneficiaries are, among others, the native Asháninka Community of the Province of La Convención, in the Cusco Region, close to the Camisea gas fields.

Bilateral and Other Agreements    

• Commercial Cooperation Agreement; signed on August 15, 1973, in Algiers.
• Cultural Cooperation Agreement; signed on June 1, 1976, in Algiers.
• Agreement for the Creation of the Joint Committee for Economic, Commercial, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation; signed on October 13, 1987, in Lima.
• Executive Program of the Cultural Cooperation Agreement between the Governments of Algeria and Peru (period 2004 - 2006); signed on March 23, 2004, in Algiers.
• Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of a Mechanism for Bilateral Political Consultations; signed on May 18, 2005, in Lima; entry into force: August 10, 2005.
• Agreement on the Reciprocal Suppression of Visas for Holders of Diplomatic, Special or Service Passports; signed on May 18, 2005, in Lima; entered into force on July 28, 2006.
• Cooperation Agreement on Energy and Mines; signed on May 18, 2005, in Lima; entered into force on February 28, 2006.
• Cooperation Agreement between the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACI) and the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL); signed on May 26, 2007, in Algiers.
• Memorandum of Academic Cooperation between the Diplomatic and International Relations Institute (IDRI) of Algeria and the Diplomatic Academy of Peru Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (ADP); signed on October 30, 2008, in Lima.