Brussels, 06/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - A European team is expected in Algiers in the next few days to learn of the state of institutional preparedness and level of organisation in the country for the elections due to take place in the first half of the year. The report taken back by this initial European team will help determine the type and scale of the support, including official EU observers, to be offered to Algeria.
The Algerian media report that a memorandum of understanding is under discussion between Algiers and the Commission. This will set out the conditions under which EU observation operations will be organised. Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci is reported in the press as saying: “We have given four months notice to the EU and are awaiting its agreement in principle. After that, probably in the course of this month or at the latest at the start of next, we will be able to begin the process that will lead to the signing of a memorandum of understanding paving the way for observation.” He said that the same procedure will be followed with the UN, the Arab League, the African Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. (FB/transl.rt)