Algerian Radio
The Prime Minister, Mr. Sifi Ghrieb, delivered a speech this Monday in Niamey at the opening of the proceedings of the Algerian-Nigerien High Joint Commission, the translation of which is as follows:
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
-
Your Excellency Mr. Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, and dear brother,
-
Ministers, members of the delegations,
-
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me, at the beginning of this speech, to express my sincere thanks and profound gratitude, on my behalf and on behalf of the members of the Algerian delegation, to His Excellency Army General Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic of Niger, Head of State, as well as to Your Excellencies, the Government, and the brotherly people of Niger, for the warm and sincere welcome, the authentic hospitality, and the high-level organization we have enjoyed since our arrival in Niamey, which reflect the finest traditions of this brotherly country in terms of hospitality and welcoming its brothers.
It is with immense pride and great joy that we find ourselves today on the hospitable land of Niger, this land linked to Algeria by solid fraternal ties, sincere solidarity, and good neighborliness rooted in the depths of history.
These relations are not the result of circumstantial interests, but have been woven by the ties of a shared geography, consolidated by the pages of a shared struggle—relations continuously nourished by a common vision of the future of our region and the destiny of our two peoples.
Our meeting today in Niamey, within the framework of the second session of the High Joint Commission between our two countries, marks a new stage in the journey of Algerian-Nigerien cooperation. It is a well-established institutional tradition that reflects our shared desire to consolidate dialogue, strengthen consultation, and coordinate our efforts.
However, this session takes on, in my view, a particular and exceptional character. We can even say that it holds a unique historical and strategic dimension.
It follows the unprecedented visit made by His Excellency President Abdourahamane Tiani to Algeria on February 15 and 16, 2026, at the kind invitation of his counterpart, the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
This visit constituted a decisive step in the evolution of relations between our two countries and will undoubtedly remain etched in diplomatic and political memory as a turning point. It reaffirmed the firm desire of the leaders of our two countries to elevate our relations to new horizons, overcome various circumstantial challenges, preserve the exemplary nature of these relations, and address regional challenges in a spirit of renewed solidarity and shared responsibility.
The fraternal and in-depth talks that brought together the leaders of our two countries made it possible to lay the foundations for a new phase of strategic partnership between Algeria and Niger. It is a partnership based on mutual trust, a shared ambition, and a perfect convergence of views on the need to elevate our bilateral cooperation to the level of the legitimate aspirations of our peoples in terms of security, stability, development, and prosperity.
In this context, the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, reaffirmed during this visit that 'Algeria reiterates its willingness to accompany Niger in its efforts aimed at ensuring stability and development, in full respect of its national sovereignty and in a spirit of solidarity between brotherly countries.' This position reflects the constancy of Algeria's commitment to supporting its brothers in Niger and accompanying them on the path to consolidating stability and promoting development.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The holding of this High Joint Commission today in Niamey is nothing other than the concrete and immediate translation of this political will clearly expressed at the highest level in our two countries.
It falls within the framework of ongoing consultation and constant coordination, and we are called upon today, more than ever, to make it the starting point of a decisive new momentum in our bilateral relations—an irreversible momentum towards greater integration and rapprochement.
We are not gathered here solely to reaffirm the solidity of our political relations, but also to give these relations an economic and human developmental dimension commensurate with their strategic depth and privileged place.
The fundamental objective that brings us together today consists of translating the political dynamic launched by the leaders of our two countries into concrete achievements, realistic projects, and measurable results on the ground, to the direct benefit of our two countries and our brotherly peoples, particularly in the border areas which constitute a natural space for cooperation and integration.
With this in mind, our responsibility rests, in our view, on four main axes:
First: Consolidating existing achievements
Over the years, our two countries have succeeded in establishing a solid system of cooperation and coordination mechanisms, whether it be the joint border commissions, the close and exemplary security cooperation, or the political consultations between the diplomacies of our two countries. These mechanisms constitute a valuable asset and a solid foundation that must be preserved and developed, as they form the bedrock upon which we will build the next stages of our cooperation.
Second: Accelerating the pace of implementation of major infrastructure projects
By this I mean the strategic projects that constitute the pillars of regional integration in our shared space, foremost among them the Trans-Saharan Highway, the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, and the fiber optic network.
These projects are not mere infrastructures, but in reality constitute the vital arteries of development and integration, as well as the backbone of a promising economic corridor that will link the Mediterranean basin to the West African hinterland, thereby opening vast prospects for trade, investment, and common development.
The vision in this area is clear and political commitments have been made at the highest level. As the presidents of our two countries have emphasized, the current phase requires us to remove the final obstacles, mobilize all available resources, and transition, without delay, from the project phase to effective implementation on the ground.
Third: Expanding and deepening the areas of bilateral cooperation
In accordance with the directives of our respective Heads of State, it is our responsibility to explore new partnership prospects and conclude additional agreements that consolidate this path. In this regard, I am delighted, as you are, to see the proceedings of this session crowned by the signing of a considerable number of agreements and memorandums of understanding in vital and varied fields. These include geological and mining research; energy in all its forms, including renewable energies and electrical interconnection; agriculture; health; vocational and university training; youth and sports; culture; as well as the fields of telecommunications and digitization.
We also emphasize, within this framework, the importance of strengthening cooperation in the energy sector, both in the field of hydrocarbons and in that of renewable energies. Algeria is prepared to support Niger with its technical expertise in the fields of oil exploration and exploitation, as well as the development of energy resources, while supporting efforts to connect rural and border areas to the electricity grid, which will contribute to improving the living conditions of the populations and enhancing local development.
Fourth: Dynamizing the economic and commercial partnership between our two countries
The strong political will animating the leaders of our two countries must find its natural expression in the expansion of economic exchanges and the promotion of investment initiatives.
With this in mind, the Algerian-Nigerien Economic Forum, which is being held on the sidelines of this session, takes on particular importance as a space for direct dialogue between the economic actors and businesspeople of our two countries, and for building a solid economic partnership based on a unified and integrated approach.
I take this opportunity to issue a sincere appeal to investors, entrepreneurs, and economic actors from Algeria and Niger to seize this favorable political moment, explore the commercial and investment opportunities available between our two countries, and contribute effectively to the realization of joint partnership projects.
The Algerian-Nigerien Business Council is also called upon to play a central role in advancing this partnership towards new horizons, particularly given the promising prospects offered by the economies of our two countries in numerous sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, infrastructure, and information and communication technologies, not to mention the start-up sector.
In this same context, we must work to facilitate trade by simplifying customs procedures and encouraging the creation of organized border markets, capable of revitalizing economic activity and strengthening trade for the direct benefit of the populations in border areas.
It is also fitting to launch a joint reflection on the creation of an integrated border cooperation zone that would be a space for local development and economic integration, while also constituting a bulwark against various manifestations of fragility and instability. In this framework, we will strive to accelerate the realization of the desired trade corridor between our two countries and to strengthen the role of border areas as true bridges toward economic integration.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We cannot ignore the delicate security context in which our meetings are being held today, given the growing challenges facing the Sahelo-Saharan region. These translate into an escalation of terrorist risks, an upsurge in organized cross-border criminal activities, as well as the proliferation of various forms of illicit trafficking.
There is no doubt that these challenges constitute a direct threat to the security and stability of the States in the region, and that they undermine efforts aimed at ensuring sustainable economic and social development. In this context, Algeria reaffirms its constant commitment to strengthening security cooperation with the Republic of Niger, particularly in the face of the danger of terrorism and the cross-border threats that continue to weigh on the stability of our regional space.
Indeed, Algeria and Niger do not merely share geographic borders stretching over hundreds of kilometers, but are also united by a common destiny and a historical responsibility in the face of these challenges. As the leaders of our two countries have repeatedly stressed, the security of Algeria is that of Niger, and the security of Niger is that of Algeria.
Bolstered by this deep conviction, the revitalization and strengthening of security coordination mechanisms between our two countries are of paramount importance. Our approach in this area remains comprehensive and balanced; it relies both on vigilance and firmness in security matters, on the one hand, and on the promotion of economic and social development in border areas, on the other hand, in order to protect them sustainably against the influence of terrorist and criminal networks.
We will also continue to work on strengthening our cooperation in this area, both bilaterally and within the framework of regional mechanisms, while intensifying our joint efforts to combat illegal immigration and confront the criminal networks linked to it.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our bilateral cooperation fits into the broader regional and continental context. Algeria and Niger indeed share the profound conviction that the future of the Sahel and of Africa must be shaped by its own actors, through comprehensive and sovereign local solutions, based on dialogue, solidarity, and the rejection of foreign interference.
The crises experienced by the region have direct repercussions on our collective stability, which compels us to redouble our diplomatic efforts and strengthen coordination between our two countries in order to promote peaceful political solutions that preserve the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the States.
We will continue to work hand in hand to consolidate peace and security in the region—essential conditions for achieving development, economic integration, and sustainable development on our continent—in support of promising African initiatives. Foremost among these is the African Continental Free Trade Area, for which the capital of your brotherly country, Niamey, serves as a strong symbol of its institutional launch.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am convinced that the proceedings of this session, which is being held under the auspices of our two Heads of State, in a spirit of sincere fraternity, shared responsibility, and legitimate ambition, will culminate in concrete results commensurate with this historical moment.
It is our duty to emerge from these meetings with a clearly defined action plan, including specific objectives and a rigorous follow-up mechanism, in order to guarantee the effective implementation of what we will agree upon.
The decisions we take here in Niamey, the agreements we sign, and the partnerships that the Economic Forum launches must be quickly translated on the ground, in order to strengthen trust and materialize the aspirations of our two peoples.
Before concluding my remarks, I wish to reiterate my sincere thanks and profound gratitude to His Excellency President Abdourahamane Tiani, saluting his enlightened vision for the future of his country and our region, as well as the renewed trust he places in Algeria. I also reiterate to you, dear brother, the willingness of the government of my country to work alongside you for an even brighter and more noble future for the solid relations and ties that unite our two countries and our two brotherly peoples.
I sincerely hope that the proceedings of this session will be crowned with total success, commensurate with our shared aspirations, in the service of the interests of our two brotherly peoples, and that they will contribute to strengthening security, stability, and prosperity in our region," the Prime Minister concluded.
