Algiers, 25/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - At the end of a visit to Algiers where, with High Representative Javier Solana, she met President Bouteflika and Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, EU Council President Anna Lindh said that the EU welcomed the steps taken by Algeria to improve the human rights situation, but took a serious view of the continued high level of violence in the country and, especially, in connection with disappearances, arbitrary arrests and torture. "We are also very concerned about the proposed law on restrictions on the freedom of the press", she said. In Algiers, Ms. Lindh and Mr. Solana also discussed negotiations over an EU/Algeria Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, enlargement and the EU's Security and Defence Policy, as well as the situation in the Middle East and Western Sahara.