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multinational Engie SA is close to an agreement with Algeria for an increase in imports of natural gas, according to . 

A deal could raise the delivery of natural gas by around 50 percent.

🇩🇿🇫🇷| La directrice générale du groupe , Catherine MacGregor, a rencontré le ministre de l' et des Mines ainsi que le PDG du groupe . Les discussions ont porté sur les moyens de renforcer la coopération énergétique entre la et l'.

— The Algerian Post (@TheAlgiersPost)

The news comes after a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Algiers where he met his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune and vowed to “” with the north African country. 

An Engie spokesperson has confirmed that talks are ongoing, but did not comment on the nature or timing of any new agreement. 

French President Emmanuel Macron has concluded his three-day visit to Algeria with a "new pact", aimed at healing ties with the country

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French government spokesperson Olivier Veran said on Sunday that “diplomatic negotiations are ongoing,” and added that a formal announcement could come soon. 

Algeria is Europe’s third biggest gas supplied after Russia and Norway. It has recently discovered new reservoirs, and with Italy in July this year.