MOSCOW, June 13. /TASS/. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune arrived in Russia on a state visit on Tuesday.

His plane landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo-2 airport at around 8:45 p.m. Moscow time.

Tebboune said in March that he was planning to visit Russia on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation. A state visit is the highest-ranking foreign visit in the diplomatic protocol.

As Tebboune was leaving the plane, he was greeted by a Russian delegation led by Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev. It also included Russian Presidential Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and Russian Ambassador to Algeria Valeryan Shuvayev.

The Algerian leader walked the red carpet towards a special airport terminal. The carpet was lined up with ceremonial guard, while a military orchestra played the anthems of Russia and Algeria.

The Le Jeune Independant news portal reported on June 10 that Tebboune would to visit Russia from June 14 through 16 to forge the strategic partnership between the two countries. According to the report, the Algerian leader would bring an extensive ministerial delegation. He is also expected to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled during the visit. The two presidents may touch upon the strategic partnership and international issues, including the Middle East, the Sahel region, as well as energy cooperation within the OPEC+, the portal said.