Brussels, 02/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, will visit Algiers on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 July. This will be his first visit to Algeria since he took office.
The news of his visit, which has still not been confirmed by Barroso's staff in Brussels, was given in Algiers by the EU ambassador, Marek Skolil - the head of delegation. “Yes, I can confirm”, he told Algerian media, but without the programme for Barroso's visit being given - and particularly whether Barroso will sign the memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation. Algeria and the EU are theoretically discussing the arrangement of a date for signing this document with a visit from the European commissioner for energy.
Together with the relevant state leaders, Barroso will review the relationship between Algeria and the European Union, the renewed European neighbourhood policy (ENP), and the memorandum on energy. Under negotiation since 2005, the energy agreement between Algeria and the EU could be signed during this visit. The agreement was approved by the European Council on 15 April. The signing of the agreement - which was announced for the beginning of 2013 - has been delayed. (FB/transl.fl)