Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday said Israel's expansionist policies pose the main threat to the security of the region.
"Israeli aggression has once again shown that the main security problem for our region is the expansionist, lawless and norm-defying policies of the current government," Erdoğan told a joint news conference with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune in the capital Ankara.
"Türkiye and Algeria share a common stance on ending the spiral of violence that seriously threatens the peace and security of our region," he added.
Erdoğan said Türkiye and Algeria are among the strongest advocates of a two-state solution for Palestine, and praised Algeria's support for the Palestinian cause during its recent term on the UN Security Council.
He stressed the importance of strengthening Syria's security and stability, saying Türkiye would continue contributing to the country's reconstruction.
Earlier, Erdoğan welcomed Tebboune at the presidential complex, where the two leaders co-chaired the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting. They later attended a signing ceremony for bilateral agreements.
The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in combating disinformation.
Turkish Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said the agreement aims to strengthen cooperation, joint work, and the exchange of expertise in combating disinformation, fake news and fact-checking.
Tebboune arrived in Türkiye on Wednesday on a three-day official visit.
Tebboune also condemned Israeli actions in the region, saying: "We condemn the Israeli occupation, its violations of international humanitarian law, its blatant attacks on Lebanon, and its barbaric practices in the Gaza Strip."
The Algerian leader said he and Erdoğan discussed developments in the Gulf and Middle East regions, as well as ways to resolve ongoing crises and establish security.
He called for intensified global efforts to end Israeli violations and build peace in the region, stressing the international community's responsibility to ensure a "just and lasting solution" that guarantees the legitimate rights of Palestinians, especially their right to establish an independent state.
He said the leaders also discussed Libya, the Sahel region and Western Sahara, and expressed concern over Israel's violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity by recognizing the breakaway Somaliland, warning it threatened security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Tebboune said Algeria and Türkiye also aim to diversify economic ties and preserve their "shared historical heritage."
Erdoğan said he and Tebboune earlier met in Algeria in November 2023, and agreed to elevate bilateral cooperation mechanisms and establish the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
He also commemorated the victims of the Setif and Guelma massacres ahead of their 81st anniversary, offering condolences for "all Algerian brothers who lost their lives for Algeria's independence."
Erdoğan said Ankara was determined to strengthen cooperation with Algeria in strategic sectors, including energy, mining, transportation and agriculture.
"Algeria is one of our largest trade partners on the African continent," Erdoğan said, adding that bilateral ties were driven by "mutual respect and affection stemming from our shared history."
"We have intensified efforts toward our $10 billion trade target set in 2023," the Turkish president, noting that more than 1,600 Turkish companies in Algeria have invested $8 billion in sectors including industry, mining, agriculture, construction, pharmaceuticals and infrastructure.
He said representatives of the two countries' private sectors met at a business forum in Ankara on Thursday to discuss new cooperation and investment opportunities.
Erdoğan said the regional war, which began with "Israeli provocations," continued to negatively affect global energy markets.
He said Türkiye and Algeria had built "reliable, stable and sustainable" energy partnerships years ago and were now exploring opportunities in renewable energy and new technologies, while aiming to expand cooperation in mining through joint investments and exchange of expertise.
He added that the two countries were continuing to deepen long-term cooperation on energy supply security, especially natural gas.
Türkiye, according to Erdoğan, was also ready to contribute to Algeria's agricultural development and food security efforts.
He said cooperation in the defense industry would contribute to the security of both countries and the wider region, and emphasized the importance of opening mutual cultural centers to strengthen "brotherly ties."
After the news conference, Tebboune was awarded the State Order of the Republic of Türkiye.
Erdoğan said bilateral ties had reached "the highest level in the history of the Republic" thanks to Tebboune's "sincere support."
The Turkish president said he closely followed Tebboune's "New Algeria Vision" and described Algeria as "shining like a star" in its region under his leadership.
He said he was honored to present Türkiye's highest state decoration to Tebboune in recognition of his contributions to bilateral ties and friendship between the two nations.
Tebboune said he was "greatly honored" to receive the state order, and called it a sincere reflection of the two countries' shared goals to deepen cooperation across all fields.
Erdoğan also thanked Algeria for awarding him the Athir Order (National Order of Merit Athir), describing the decorations as symbols of the "unshakable brotherhood" between the two countries.
Tebboune said Algeria-Türkiye relations were rooted in a shared cultural heritage and welcomed the growing dynamism in bilateral ties.
He said the two countries had made major strides in relations over the past five years.
He said the ceremony would serve as "a driving force" for expanding and deepening the bilateral strategic partnership, emphasizing the shared contributions to peace and security efforts in the Middle East and Gulf region.
Erdoğan also hosted a closed-door official dinner in honor of Tebboune.
