Under the deal from this autumn, increased gas supplies will be sent through the Transmed undersea pipeline, which links Algeria to Italy via Tunisia.

Italy buys the vast majority of its natural gas from overseas, with 40% of it’s supplies coming from Russia.

Speaking while on a visit to the Algerian capital, Algiers, Mr Draghi said his government had signed a preliminary agreement on energy cooperation with Algeria.

"Immediately after the invasion of Ukraine I announced that Italy would move with the utmost speed to reduce dependence from Russian gas.

"Today's agreements are a significant response to this strategic goal. Others will follow," he said.