Brussels, 07/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 6 November during her visit to the Maghreb, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton left Rabat for Algiers, where she signed three financing agreements for grants worth a total €58 million. These are on the protection of cultural heritage (€21.5 million), support for reform in the transport sector (€13 million) and support for youth employment (€23.5 million).
Ashton said that, “Our relationship with Algeria is extremely important to the EU...It is so crucial to support young people seeking employment and we cannot underestimate the importance of protecting our cultural heritage, while supporting a transport strategy is crucial for developing the economy with the infrastructure it needs.”
Officially, the talks in Rabat and Algiers focus exclusively on bilateral cooperation with Morocco and Algeria. But what was not said, according to different commentators, was more important, such as the situation in Mali and the Sahel-Sahara. The newspaper “El Watan” was quick to point out that the examination of regional and international questions of common interest was also on the European leader's agenda, adding that nothing, however, came out about the contents of these discussions on such sensitive subjects.
The concern expressed by the EU on the subject of security will also be reflected in its meetings taking place in Tunisia. Local media sources indicated that a meeting would take place between the European ambassador and the minister for defence. According to same sources, the minister for defence also announced a forthcoming visit of a delegation of European security and safety experts. This delegation will assess Tunisia's requirements and provide the necessary assistance within a context of security and defence sector rationalisation. (FB/transl.fl)