Brussels, 05/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - As part of the political dialogue set up alongside the Association Council, the EU and Algeria had the opportunity at the 9th Association Council on Thursday 4 June (see EUROPE 11328) to review the main subjects of common interest. The European party used the occasion to reiterate its own position.
As regards the political situation, in Algeria itself, while hailing the reforms that have been adopted, especially on “the protection and promotion of women's rights” and the Family Code, the EU “calls for their full implementation”. However, the EU “regrets the impeding of certain national and international associations”, as well as “certain restrictions to the right of assembly and meeting”. The EU notes “with satisfaction the ongoing negotiations between Algeria and the Council of Europe for an action plan”. Algeria is “invited to become a member of the conventions open to third parties”.
As regards migration and mobility, “today more than ever, dialogue [on these issues] is proving a crucial priority”, the EU states. While affirming “the necessity” of the fight against illegal immigration, the EU “encourages Algeria to begin a bilateral dialogue” on “legal migration and mobility, the trafficking of migrants, readmission, voluntary returns, regional cooperation for border management, dealing with mixed flows of migrants and the protection of those in need, and the improvement of the contribution from Algerian citizens living in Europe to the development of Algeria and international protection”. This is “a crucial priority”, the EU states.
As regards climate change (the subject of an international conference in Paris in December), the EU says this is an “essential challenge for the Mediterranean area”. The EU “takes note of the Algerian resolve to submit” useful data on climate change (intended nationally determined contribution - INDC) before October and to finalise its national plan on the climate before the end of 2015. The EU affirms its “readiness to accompany Algeria in this area”.
As regards cooperation in security and justice, the EU believes it is “essential” to set up “an in-depth and targeted dialogue” with Algeria for a “fight against terrorism which will include the prevention of radicalisation and the fight against violent extremism in respect of the law”. The EU is following with interest the dialogues that Algeria is holding both with NATO and the OSCE, and it hails the constructive role that Algeria is playing within the African Union regarding peace and security. The EU supports and encourages Algeria's involvement in the Euro-Mediterranean consultations - especially with the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the 5+5 Dialogue with the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU). The EU takes positive note of Algeria's engagement in the process of reviewing the European neighbourhood policy (ENP) and takes note of the informal non-paper being developed in Algiers.
As regards the situation in the Sahel, the EU “hails and fully supports Algeria's mediation and its efforts to find a way out of the current crisis in Mali”. The EU says it “shares with Algeria the desire to support development in the region more”. As regards the security level, it “invites Algeria to establish close cooperation in the areas targeted by the new regional action plan for the Sahel”. The EU also reaffirms that “the threats which prevail in our neighbourhood are a common concern for the EU and Algeria”. This is also true in the case of Libya. The EU “hails the diplomatic initiatives undertaken by Algeria”.
As regards the Western Sahara, the EU “supports the efforts of the secretary general of the United Nations and his special envoy to reach a fair, sustainable and mutually acceptable political solution, which provides for the self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara as part of the arrangements in line with the goals and principles set out in the United Nations Charter, and in line with the Security Council resolutions. The EU encourages Algeria to continue its constructive engagement in the search for a resolution to this conflict” (our translation throughout). (Fathi B'Chir)