Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that Moscow and Algeria plan to sign an agreement confirming a "new quality" of bilateral relations between the two sides.

During a meeting with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra in Algeria, Lavrov said that "All these years we have been actively developing trade and economic cooperation."

During the press conference that followed the meeting, Lavrov said: "We, Algeria, and the other members of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum are adhering to the agreements we have reached on gas supplies to the world market. And I am sure that it will continue to be so."

"Many Russian companies are interested in creating and implementing joint projects together with Algerian partners in such areas as energy, mineral resources, geological exploration, and pharmaceuticals," Lavrov added.

The Russian minister indicated that given "the rapidly developing friendly ties" between Russia and Algeria, the two countries plan to sign "a new inter-state strategic document, which will reflect the new quality of our relations."

Lavrov's visit to Algeria coincides with the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations. His last visit to the African country was in 2019.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia and Algeria are united by strong and friendly relations and revealed plans to further military and technical cooperation with Algeria.

Putin said in 2020 that he hoped Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune would visit Russia. It is noteworthy that Algeria is among Russia’s three major trade partners in the African continent.

Algeria abstained from voting on the UN Resolution condemning Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

After the United States, Russia, Iran, and Canada, Algeria is the world's fifth-largest gas producer. With an average of 982,000 barrels of oil produced daily as of February, the courtly is also among the top-20 crude oil producers. Sonatrach, Algeria's state-owned oil firm, produces, refines, transports, and sells petroleum products. It is the largest company not only in Algeria but also on the African continent.

Algeria is currently being explored by the European Union as a potential gas supplier alternative to Russia.