Brussels, 06/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - After his meetings with Algeria's Minister for Energy Youcef Yousfi on Tuesday 5 May, European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete was pleased about the results reached by the two delegations during this session to launch the strategic partnership - a partnership which is based on classical energy, especially gas, and on renewable energy and energy efficiency. A roadmap has been drawn up and signed which sets out how to follow up on the jointly-taken decisions (see EUROPE 11308).
This high-level dialogue was inaugurated under the memorandum of understanding signed in 2013, which commits the two parties to working together in order to respond to the jointly-stated concern of the EU's supply security and of keeping “sure and stable outlets” for Algerian hydrocarbon production, Yousfi stated. “Europe is the main importer of Algerian gas and will remain so in the coming years”, said Canete, who reasserted that the security of supply is “a priority for Europe” and that the partnership with Algeria is “at the centre of the strategy approved by the EU heads of state”.
Canete says Algeria is a “key partner both on the bilateral and regional level” because it has been “a reliable partner in difficult times”. Cooperation will be extended to renewable energies, for which Algeria offers “considerable potential” and “comparative advantages”, he said. Working groups will be formed by theme. Canete took note of Algeria's desire for “technical assistance, cooperation in training and industrial cooperation” so as to make the most of its resources. An annual partnership meeting will enable an update on progress in implementing these commitments. The first session will take place in Algiers in 2016.
During a press conference, Yousfi underlined the need for “appropriate infrastructure to facilitate the supplies”, but there is still concern about the “lack of private European investment”. Canete proposed a dialogue to understand the reasons for this and to seek solutions. A business forum will be organised for this purpose. “We are starting out on a true promotion exercise”, Canete said.
The Algerian news agency APS said that during a meeting “behind closed doors”, Yousfi and Canete spoke about “the future of gas relations and the ways to increase Algerian gas exports to Europe by facilitating investment in new projects”. They reportedly also discussed projects linked to “developing an ambitious Algerian programme that would need to bring its electricity production from alternative energies to 22,000 MW by 2030”, according to APS. (Fathi B'Chir)