Brussels, 16/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini is visiting Algeria on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 September, where she will meet Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal, Foreign Affairs Minister Ramtane Lamamra and other government figures. In addition to bilateral cooperation, Mogherini will also speak about “regional issues, like the situation in Libya and security in the region” and “will also meet representatives from Algerian civil society”, her staff state.
The visit in itself is significant as it is Mogherini's first official trip as high representative to this country. Algeria is at the core of efforts to secure a region (Maghreb/Sahel) that is deeply troubled by terrorist pressure, and it is playing an active role in the Mali situation and in the security of neighbouring countries. During the Association Council on 4 June, the EU stressed “the strategic nature” of its relationship with Algeria - a country with which the EU has for long been involved in a specific “political dialogue”. Mogherini is expected to give long awaited “new momentum” to this dialogue.
The bilateral relationship, which is promising both for the energy domain and for the activity of companies and trade, has unexplored potential - although it is under strain from continuing administrative and policy-decision burdens. Algeria's situation nevertheless remains dependent on the way that hydrocarbons markets develop as most of its revenue comes from these sales. Energy cooperation, which is based on a specific protocol, is at the heart of Algeria's cooperation with the EU.
Work remains to be done on the association agreement and deepening it involves a great deal of shilly-shallying, especially by Algiers. Algeria obtained the review of some of the arrangements in the association agreement (tariff dismantling) while at the same time approving the opening of new chapters for anchoring Algeria more to Europe.
According to Algeria's official news agency APS, which quotes a government press release, Algeria believes its relationship with the EU must be “based on consolidation of the common vision, which should enable a balanced and adapted implementation of the association agreement and of sectoral cooperation with a view to enhancing these in the interest of both sides”. Through the process of reviewing the European neighbourhood policy (ENP), Algiers also intends to “seize the opportunity of [Mogherini's] visit to reaffirm its commitment to working together (…) to strengthening cooperation links with the EU, its institutions and its member states, with a view to fostering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional and mutually beneficial partnership”.
Overall, Mogherini will have to confirm the intention of “strengthening bilateral cooperation”, (which was also stated at the last Association Council), and at the same time will also have to confirm the intention of “deepening” the EU's relations with Algeria on “the basis of shared values and principles” - wording which recalls the requirement for the respect of human rights and basic principles of democracy. On this level, the domestic situation in Algeria, which is in constant evolution, is the subject of particular attention from the EU. (Fathi B'Chir)