Relations between Algeria and Romania have witnessed continuous development since the establishment of diplomatic ties in April 1962.
Romania was among the first countries to recognize Algeria's independence (1962), and the two countries established diplomatic relations at the embassy level on April 14, 1962.
The Romanian Embassy in Algiers opened in 1963, and the first resident Romanian ambassador to Algeria was accredited on May 5, 1963.
Algeria opened its embassy in Bucharest and accredited a resident ambassador in 1982. Relations between the two countries have been characterized by cooperation in numerous fields, particularly political, economic, and cultural. At the bilateral level, agreements have been reached to promote and advance cooperation in agriculture, higher education, research and innovation, renewable energy, and new information and communication technologies. Bilateral cooperation also encompasses digitalization and startups.
Political and diplomatic contacts:
• At the presidential level:
In Algeria: January 2003
• At the parliamentary level:
In Romania: March 1995 (Delegation of the National Transitional Council), May 2001, May 2003 and June 2010 (Delegation of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Council of the Nation/Senate), September 2018 (Visit of the Minister for Relations with the Parliament).
In Algeria: March 2019 (Visit of the Minister for Relations with the Parliament), April 2000 (Delegation of the Foreign Policy Committee of the Romanian Senate). At the parliamentary level, parliamentary friendship groups are established.
• At the level of foreign ministries:
In Romania:
At the level of Minister of Foreign Affairs: March 1996, November 2011, November 7, 2023.
At the level of Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs: December 2002, September 2018, January 9, 2023.
In Algeria:
At the level of Minister of Foreign Affairs: August 1968, September 1980, April 2000, March 2018.
At the level of Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs: January 2006, November 2012, March 2015, November 2023.
• On the sidelines of international meetings:
December 2001 (OSCE meeting, Bucharest), September 2003 (UN General Assembly, New York).
- Economic Cooperation
Algeria is one of the most important destinations for Romanian exports to Africa. The framework for bilateral cooperation includes the Joint Economic Cooperation Committee (established in 1972) and the Romanian-Algerian Business Group. In February 2019, the President of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited Algeria with an economic delegation.
With Romania's accession to the European Union, the legal framework for trade relations with Algeria became governed by the Algeria-EU Association Agreement (2005). The agreement stipulated that, during a 15-year transition period from its entry into force (September 1, 2005), customs barriers between the two signatory states would be gradually reduced until their complete elimination and the establishment of the Algerian-European Free Trade Area. However, Algeria requested a postponement of the entry into force of the free trade area with the European Union.
- Cultural Cooperation:
Cooperation in the fields of culture and education is one of the most important aspects of Algerian-Romanian relations. Several joint agreements have been signed in this regard. Furthermore, the embassy takes the initiative in providing diplomatic representation in the cultural field, particularly during events organized in Romania, such as the International Book Fair and the International End-of-Year Market. The embassy also utilizes the opportunity of organizing cultural days for the Arab and African groups to highlight the diversity of Algerian cultural heritage. A cooperation agreement was signed on March 30, 2015, between the Algerian Institute of Diplomacy and International Relations and the Romanian Diplomatic Institute, aiming to strengthen cooperation in training and research in diplomatic affairs. This agreement facilitates the development of cooperation programs in this area.
On October 20, 2018, the "Friends of Romania" association was founded in Algiers, comprising former Algerian students residing in Romania.