A Germany-Algeria mixed committee is to be established to strengthen the two countries' economic and trade cooperation, Merkel told the press after talks with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Merkel began her two-day visit to Algeria on Wednesday, during which an economic and trade forum was held and two contracts on industry and personnel training were signed.
The two sides also discussed military cooperation and cooperation in the development of solar energy, Algerian news agency reported.
Bernd Pfaffebach, the German deputy minister for economy, who accompanied Merkel on her visit, said on Wednesday that Germany hoped the gas-rich Algeria would export more gas to Europe, especially Germany.
Some 20 percent of Europe's natural gas imports reportedly comes from Algeria, while only 1 percent of the gas that Germany consumes is imported from the North African country.
