Algiers, 07/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - Following the ratification a fortnight ago by the National Assembly, the Algerian Senate has given the green light to the association agreement initialled on 19 December 2001 and signed on 22 April 2002 in Valencia in the backdrop to the EuroMed ministerial conference. Its entry into force will not take place, however, until it is ratified by all Member States of the EU-15. Only the 15 members of the EU before enlargement have to comply with this procedure as at this stage the Netherlands still has to ratify it and the association agreements are already part of the Community acquis for the 10 new Member States. The European Commission proposed the conclusion of an interim agreement for the early implementation of the chapter on trade but Algerian sources point out that the Algerian government declined this offer, considering that selective implementation of the agreement was not appropriate. Technical meetings also took place for preparing implementation of this agreement and for kicking off negotiations on the “action plan” which will be devised under the European neighbourhood policy.