On Monday 12 November, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, argued for greater cooperation between the EU and Algeria on security.
“The challenges in our common neighbourhood make Algeria and the EU privileged partners on security issues”, she explained at the opening of the second session of the high-level strategic dialogue between Algeria and the EU on regional security and the fight against terrorism.
“We must work together to stabilize crisis areas to ensure our own stability and security”, she added.
According to the High Representative, Algeria speaks as a partner of “foremost importance with regard to regional security issues”, and she saluted its role “in the resolution of regional crises and its readiness to cooperate with the EU and in the context of multilateralism”.
Ms Mogherini wished to discuss the development of regional and bilateral cooperation “to deal with terrorism and organised crime, including those responsible [for] all types of trafficking, including migrant smuggling”. She also highlighted the fight against cyber-terrorism, de-radicalisation and the prevention of radicalisation.
In front of the press, Ms Mogherini proclaimed a common will to strengthen the dialogue on migration. “It is our joint responsibility to address this phenomenon in an effective and humane way and to seek concerted approaches”, she explained.
But the relationship is much broader. “It is very important to coordinate our responses to these challenges, whether in terms of security, mobility, or energy and economic relations”, Ms Mogherini stressed. In her opinion, cooperation is progressing, “whether in the field of security, energy, education or economic diversification”. She explained that both sides agreed that measures to regulate trade should be taken with due regard for the Association Agreement. Discussions are under way to establish the shared vision, she added.
Algeria’s Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel added that there was a common desire to deepen the bilateral partnership and to diversify it even further. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)