Wadephul Travels to Tunisia and Algeria: North Africa in Focus of German Foreign Policy

Algeria, in turn, is of strategic importance for German energy policy. The country supplies natural gas to Europe via the Medgaz pipeline; talks on expanding delivery volumes are considered a likely topic. The regional security situation, particularly developments in Libya and the Sahel, are also set to be discussed.

Algeria as an Energy Supplier

Observers view the trip as a signal to European partners that Berlin is increasingly turning to bilateral channels in North Africa. The EU maintains partnership agreements with both countries, but progress in implementing them is considered sluggish. Wadephul has repeatedly stressed that Europe must be more present in the region.

According to consistent reports, Wadephul is being accompanied by a business delegation. It includes representatives of medium-sized companies seeking to explore opportunities in the areas of renewable energies, hydrogen, and infrastructure. In recent years, both countries have launched reform programs intended to ease market access for foreign investors.

Business Delegation Travels Along

In addition to the official appointments, meetings with Tunisian civil society and talks with Tunisians living in Germany are planned. A young Tunisian student undergoing training in Germany said in a ZDF report that she wanted later to "ihrem Heimatland etwas zurückzugeben". Wadephul pointed out at earlier appearances that migration should be understood not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity for the exchange of skilled workers.

The trip takes place just a few weeks before the EU summit, at which a decision is to be made on renewing the mandate for the anti-migration mission in the Mediterranean. The German position of seeking closer cooperation with countries of origin and transit is to be underscored by the trip.

Criticism of the Human Rights Situation

Critics point out that economic cooperation with Tunisia is made more difficult by the authoritarian turn under head of state Saied. Human rights organizations are calling for economic aid to be tied to concrete reform progress. The German government counters that progress is possible precisely through dialogue.

In Algeria, alongside the energy talks, topics such as educational exchange and scientific cooperation are also on the agenda. Several German universities maintain partnerships with Algerian universities. The proportion of young people in the population makes the country particularly interesting for German companies and universities.

According to the Federal Foreign Office, the trip is scheduled to last several days. Stops in both capitals, Tunis and Algiers, are planned, as is a visit to an industrial site where concrete investment projects are to be discussed. Results are expected at a press briefing by Wadephul at the end of the trip.