Italy and Algeria have signed agreements to strengthen energy ties and increase energy exports, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said, Reuters reported.

He said the deals were an important step in Italy's bid to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. "Others will follow," he told reporters in Algeria after meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Italy bought about 29 billion cubic meters from Russia last year, about 40 percent of its total gas imports.

According to Draghi, that gas deal with Algeria was signed by the country's two leading energy players, Eni and Sonatrach. Details of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Draghi said Italy is ready to work with Algeria on the development of renewable energy and green hydrogen.

Environmental Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani said last week that Italy expects to receive an additional 10 billion cubic meters of gas through pipelines from Algeria, Libya and Azerbaijan this year. In addition to increasing pipeline capacity from the south, the country aims to increase imports of liquefied natural gas from markets such as Qatar, the United States and Mozambique.