Brussels, 29/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - Algeria is proposing “the creation of a common Euro-Mediterranean area with shared security and prosperity”. This news was given on the website of Algeria's ministry for foreign affairs on Thursday 25 June and states the ministry's point of view following the informal meeting of Arab countries bordering the Mediterranean in Beirut on Wednesday. These countries were meeting for consultation prior to the European neighbourhood policy (ENP) review (see EUROPE 11344).
The proposal was made by Algeria's foreign minister, Ramtane Lamamra, and according to the official text, Lamamra proposed that the ENP review should lead to “a common Euro-Mediterranean area reflecting a new philosophy and not a simple adaptation of what exists, which has reached its limits”.
Lamamra says that Algeria “is trying to encourage alternative concepts that could better capture the common destiny, prosperity and security” and, in this spirit, he launched the idea “of creating a common space of shared security and prosperity”. This should “involve work supporting the peaceful settlement of conflicts and crises, and even preventing them”, as well as reference to international law “like mutual respect, non-interference in countries' domestic affairs, respect for national sovereignty and national independence” and “the self-determination” of peoples. (Fathi B'Chir)