Brussels, 25/06/2010 (Agence Europe) - The parliamentary delegation for relations with Maghreb, chaired by Antonio Panzeri (S&D, Italy), gave a hearing to the Algerian ambassador to the EU, Amar Bendjema, on Wednesday 23 June. Bendjema spent most of the hearing denying the impression that his country was seeking to renegotiate the association agreement with the EU.
“Between the half empty glass and the half full glass”, he prefers the latter. In this spirit, he spoke of implementation of the 2005 agreement which, for the Algerians, seems to require a number of adjustments. The Commission has undertaken to tackle the task. The ambassador pointed out that a study has been launched to draw up a first report, which points to a move forward having been made already, including in “sovereign” areas (reform of the penitentiary system, justice, etc). He said committees have been set up to monitor decisions in agriculture, fisheries, industrial cooperation, trade and services, transport, infrastructure, research and innovation. A committee on customs cooperation has just held its first session, the ambassador said.
Amar Bendjema notes, however, a number of “grey areas”, especially regarding heavy tax losses due to the process of tariff dismantling and because of a timetable decided in 2002. At the time, no-one could have imagined that Algeria would develop as rapidly as it did. As Bendjema states, the price to be paid for market opening has doubled. Another “grey area” is the free movement of persons. The ambassador urged that the “human dimension” of cooperation should not be neglected so that the development players may contribute to closing the gap with the EU. He also noted that interparliamentary relations are now structured. A joint meeting is to be held in November this year.
At the beginning of his address, the ambassador spoke of the political situation in his country, which is characterised by “remarkable stability”. On the economic front, “the situation is good”, he said, even if Algeria, also, is affected by the global crisis and the fall in fossil fuel prices. It enjoys good rates of growth, the ambassador said - 5% last year, 4.5% forecast for this year and 7% if one only takes into account activity “other than hydrocarbons”. Bendjema therefore saw this as proof of growing economic dynamism and said that Algeria, which is engaged in a “stabilisation plan” hopes to conclude the immense infrastructure worksite and improve the people's living conditions. The government makes diversification of the economy a key objective and plans to invest in sectors that create wealth and jobs. It is also determined to target SMEs more and to be attentive to the “life expectancy” of new companies. He went on to add that 40% of the means defined are reserved for the construction of universities, clinics and for a redirected effort aimed at the high plateaux, which form a vast under-populated territory compared to the coastal areas, which are over-populated. The ambassador underlines the government's resolve to take this territory back under its wing, as well as ways of communication with neighbouring countries. In addition to the ongoing or new investment projects, he spoke of that for building a rapid east-west rail line to connect the three Maghreb countries, increasing the national rail network threefold and completing its electrification. He also spoke of projects for building roads to Mali, Chad and, soon, Mauritania. Bendjema pointed to the fact that the trans-Saharian gas pipeline is being built.
In answer to an issue raised by Carmen Romero Lopez (S&D, Spain) regarding the fact that inter-Maghrebin trade remains weak “and not necessarily for political reasons”, the ambassador said that contacts between industry and businesses are being established and a Tunisian-Algerian investment bank is being created. He also pointed out that the energy ministers of the three Maghreb countries met earlier this week, with the participation of the European energy commissioner, in order to finalise the Maghreb “electric loop” project.
Answering other questions, Amar Bendjema said the terrorist threat in the African Sahel region should be neither exaggerated nor under-estimated. He said Algeria, Mali and Nigeria have created a joint military staff. His country, as he pointed out, is “against the payment of ransom money as that only encourages the ill-doers” and creates an “in-draught”. (F.B./transl.jl)