Ahmed Attaf, Algeria's Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Affairs, and National Community Abroad, arrived in Minsk, the capital of the Republic of Belarus, on Wednesday evening for an official visit. The arrival of Mr. Attaf in the Belarusian capital marked the commencement of a series of high-level diplomatic engagements. The visit aims to deepen bilateral ties between Algeria and Belarus, according to sources familiar with the diplomatic efforts, and to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two nations. This official visit shows the commitment of both countries to strengthening their relationship across various sectors.
High-Level Engagements
Ahmed Attaf, Algeria's Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Affairs, and National Community Abroad, met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday. This significant meeting was a cornerstone of the Algerian minister's diplomatic agenda in Minsk. During the meeting, Mr. Attaf conveyed greetings from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to President Lukashenko, expressing wishes for his health and happiness, and for the prosperity of the Belarusian people. The Algerian minister's agenda in Minsk was scheduled to include discussions with the President of Belarus and the Chairperson of the National Assembly of Belarus, reflecting the full nature of the visit. Mr. Attaf also held talks with Natalia Kochanova, the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, as part of his official visit to the Republic of Belarus, further emphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy. These high-level meetings provided an opportunity to review the progress of bilateral cooperation and to chart future directions for collaboration.
Economic and Political Cooperation
Ahmed Attaf was also scheduled to meet his Belarusian counterpart to assess relations and explore avenues for strengthening them, as well as exchange views on international and regional issues. Minister Attaf subsequently met with Maxim Ryzhenkov, his Belarusian counterpart, in a key session for bilateral relations. Their engagement began with a one-on-one meeting, which was followed by expanded talks involving both delegations, allowing for a thorough and detailed discussion of various aspects of their partnership. Discussions during these meetings focused on a full assessment of bilateral relations between Algeria and Belarus, examining the current state and future potential. The ministers explored ways to enhance the positive momentum in their relationship and elevate the bilateral partnership to new strategic levels. Their talks covered several priority areas for cooperation, including industry, trade, agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, and mining, noting the diverse economic interests shared by both countries. These discussions aimed to identify concrete projects and initiatives that could further bolster economic cooperation and mutual development.
Parliamentary Ties and Future Steps
The visit aims to support the positive momentum characterizing relations between Algeria and Belarus, building on previous high-level interactions. Officials agreed to hold the second session of the Algerian-Belarusian Joint Committee before the end of the current year, a move expected to consolidate the outcomes of the current visit and facilitate ongoing cooperation. Both sides also discussed the distinguished movement in relations between the two countries. This dialogue built on progress made in implementing results from the Belarusian President's official visit to Algeria in December 2025, demonstrating a continuous and evolving partnership. The discussions showed a shared commitment to fostering deeper ties across political, economic, and parliamentary spheres, laying the groundwork for sustained collaboration and mutual benefit in the years to come.