At the 28th Ministerial Meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) in Moscow, State Minister and Minister of Energy and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, underscored the vital role of long-term contracts in ensuring energy security. He reaffirmed the sovereign right of nations to manage their natural resources while calling for fair access to technology and financial resources. Arkab described natural gas as essential for a balanced and realistic energy transition, warning against the use of environmental measures as trade barriers. On the sidelines of the meeting, he held talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart to explore closer cooperation between Sonatrach and SOCAR, inviting Azerbaijani firms to participate in the 'Algeria Bid Round 2026'.