Brussels, 19/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Laura Baeza, EU Ambassador in Algiers, who is to complete her tenure in Algeria end August (before leaving for Tunisia) welcomed the fact that there is a “new, more positive spirit” in relations between Algeria and the EU. She added: “It is this positive spirit that has allowed talks to make headway on tariff dismantling, a subject on which both sides were determined to find a solution to all issues raised (…) in absolute respect for striking a balance between the interests of both” and which also led to a far higher rate of visits by senior European officials. “We should reach an agreement in the very near future”, she said, thus confirming the statement by Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci (see EUROPE 10656).
According to Baeza, this new spirit has allowed progress to be made on several issues, especially that concerning Algeria's participation in the new “renewed European Neighbourhood Policy” and on the memorandum of understanding on energy, which is still on the table. Her hope is that Algeria will take neighbourhood policy forward and sign an action plan. “An envelope of €392 million has been granted to Algeria for the 2007-2013 period”, she said, noting progress in Algeria's capacity to absorb funds, from 38% between 2003 and 2008 to nearly 100% during the last three years. In parallel, “three cooperation instruments set in place showed proof of their great utility during the last EU enlargements”, she stressed (twinning between administrations, sector-specific support and assistance seminars). (FB/transl.jl)