11/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - The constant rise in the value of the euro against the dollar and the constant rise in crude oil prices is a subject of debate in Algeria, an oil-producing country whose revenues have shot up in recent years (Algeria exported USD 54 billion worth of oil and gas in 2006). This Southern Mediterranean country has signed an agreement with the EU to liberalise trade. Algeria exports mainly oil and gas. It buys most of its equipment and food from Europe (the EU is its main trading partner). According to the 'Liberte' newspaper, the official euro exchange rate for trade is some 102 Algerian dinars at present, up 5% since the beginning of the year and therefore making imports more expensive and feeding in to price hikes in the country (along with rising commodity prices). (F.B.)