Acting on behalf of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mr. Kamel Baddari, alongside the Slovenian Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Janez Žgler Kralj, presided this afternoon, 22 August 2026, over the official opening of the Algerian-Slovenian Business Forum, held in Gornja Radgona, Slovenia, on the sidelines of the International Agriculture and Food Fair “AGRA 2026”, in the presence of the Ambassador of Algeria to Slovenia, the Vice-President of the Algerian Economic Renewal Council (CREA), and a number of Algerian economic operators.

Algeria is participating in this international event with a high-level delegation as the Guest of Honour of the fair.

In his address, Minister Baddari highlighted Algeria’s human, material and scientific potential, as well as the efforts undertaken to promote innovation and develop the agricultural sector. He stressed the readiness of Algerian universities, research centers and economic institutions to contribute to the implementation of major projects and to build sustainable economic and scientific partnerships.

He also explained that Algeria’s participation aims to showcase its agricultural and agri-food potential, promote the quality of Algerian products in European markets, and establish mutually beneficial economic, scientific and technological partnerships. In this regard, he called for accelerating the establishment of a joint Algerian-Slovenian Business Council, as a practical mechanism for bringing economic operators closer together, supporting investment and translating bilateral understandings into tangible projects.

The Minister stressed the importance of harnessing scientific research, artificial intelligence and modern technologies to develop precision and sustainable agriculture, enhance productivity, modernize agricultural mechanization, and develop value chains and agri-food industries in support of food security and sovereignty. He noted that the Forum provided an opportunity to explore promising areas of cooperation, particularly the integration of artificial intelligence into agricultural solutions, technology transfer, precision agriculture, forest protection, and the launch of joint research, development and innovation projects, while benefiting from the international “AGRA” platform to exchange expertise and knowledge and build new partnerships in agriculture and the agri-food sector.

Minister Baddari further highlighted Algeria’s natural resources, infrastructure, human capital, and research and academic expertise, which make the country a promising investment destination, particularly in light of the structural reforms aimed at modernising the national agricultural model. In this context, he outlined the sector’s strategic priorities, foremost among them the development of agricultural land in the southern regions and the High Plateaus, the expansion of irrigated areas, the development of agricultural production, and the promotion of national exports, particularly dates, olive oil, citrus fruits, vegetables, fruits and processed products, while strengthening their presence in European and Balkan markets.

For his part, the Slovenian Minister underscored the importance of the strategic partnership with Algeria, expressing his satisfaction with the existing level of cooperation and stressing Slovenia’s desire to further consolidate economic and scientific relations and expand areas of exchange, technology transfer and expertise.

The Forum’s proceedings reflected a shared commitment to translating bilateral agreements into tangible investment projects and sustainable partnerships, based on cooperation in technology, research and innovation. It was also emphasised that Slovenia represents a vital market for Algerian products and a gateway to Central Europe, while Algeria constitutes a promising strategic gateway to African markets.

Both sides further affirmed that achieving food security and food sovereignty constitutes a strategic priority, and that international cooperation and joint investment in agriculture and modern technologies are key drivers in addressing the challenges related to food security and sustainable development.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Minister Baddari stressed that Algeria’s distinguished participation in AGRA 2026, as Guest of Honour, reflects the depth of Algerian-Slovenian relations and demonstrates the shared determination to elevate bilateral cooperation to the level of a practical and structured partnership linking universities, research institutions and the economic sector, and translating research and innovation outcomes into tangible development and investment projects.

The Minister also conveyed the warm fraternal greetings of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to the President of the Republic of Slovenia, its Government and people, wishing success to the proceedings of AGRA 2026 and continued prosperity for Algerian-Slovenian relations.