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Algeria and Poland are members of the Union for the Mediterranean and the United Nations. Both nations established diplomatic relations in 1962. [1]
Following the restoration of independent Poland after World War II, honorary consulates of Poland were established in Algiers and Oran in 1922 and 1932, respectively, and both operated until 1945. [2]
Poles and Algerians both fought against Nazi Germany in World War II, including in the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. [3] Algerian prisoners of war were held by the Germans alongside Polish and other Allied POWs in the Stalag II-B, Stalag VIII-C and Stalag XXI-A POW camps, operated in Czarne, Żagań and Ostrzeszów, respectively. [4] [5] [6] Both Algerian and Polish POWs were subjected to poor conditions resulting in high mortality. [4]
Poland supported the Algerian War of Independence, and demanded the establishment of independent Algeria at the UN. [7] There were unofficial contacts between Polish representatives and the National Liberation Front. [8] The Polish Red Cross donated funds and goods to Algerian refugees in Morocco and Tunisia, and Poland admitted Algerian youth to Polish schools and universities. [7] Poland recognized the interim Algerian government even before the Algerian declaration of independence from 1962. [9] The Embassy of Poland in Algiers was opened in 1962. [9] A trade agreement and an economic and technical cooperation agreement were signed between Algeria and Poland in 1963, [9] and a cultural cooperation agreement in 1964. [10]
Poland sent a rescue squad to help the relief operation after the 2003 Boumerdès earthquake in Algeria, [11] and the Polish Medical Mission sent medical supplies. [12]
In 2014, a defense cooperation agreement was signed in Algiers. [13]
Poland and Algeria enjoy a significant relations in business. [14] In 2016, Poland and Algeria abolished visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders. [15]
The Polish foreign minister had paid visit to Algeria in 2017 to boost trade and cooperation between two countries. [16] [17] Algerian Minister Mustapha Gitouni also boosts energy cooperation with Poland. [18] Algeria considers Poland as an important partner in Europe. [19]