Brussels, 24/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - A delegation of the Algerian Council of the Nation (parliament) is in Strasbourg from 24 to 27 September on the fringe of the EP session, as a preliminary to the debate and to the vote on ratification of the EU-Algeria Association Agreement planned for the European Parliament's plenary on 9 and 10 October in Brussels. The EP Committee on Foreign Affairs recommended to the plenary two weeks ago that it should give its assent to this agreement, although it should be accompanied by political conditions. The Algerian parliamentary delegation, that is to be headed by the Chairman of the Committee on Economic and Financial Affairs at the Council of the Nation, will first of all have talks with the members of the EP delegation on relations with the Maghreb. It is to discuss the economic dimension of the partnership between the EU and Algeria (economic, technical and financial cooperation; investments and sub-regional cooperation). In the political chapter, emphasis will be placed on the evolution towards a democratic society, and it will also be question of migration and cooperation problems in the social and cultural fields.