Amar Blani: “Media Reports On EU's Position Towards Algeria Are Inappropriate”

Algeria’s ambassador to Brussels and its representative in the EU, Amar Belani, described the media reports that talked about the requirements of the European Commission on Algeria to diversify its supply of Algerian gas and end its dealings with Russia in this area, parallel to more political openness in Algeria, and the need to change the regime in or at least a governmental change as “inconsistent, inappropriate and not objective.”

Ambassador Belani, responded to the article that was published by the journal “Politico”, which dealt with the relationship between Algerian and the European Union, on the basis of the analysis that were presented by an unknown source, as the European Union is betting on regime’s change, or a relative government change in Algeria, in order to strengthen the partnership with Algeria, and then expand the Algerian oil and gas exports to the European market, through a deal that ensures the two sides’ accounts, and of its conditions is ensuring the security of gas supplies to Europe and combat illegal immigration to the other side of the Mediterranean, and to ensure the stability of the financial support, the large investment and diversification of the Algerian economy.”

“Algerian government is negotiating with the European Union, to better serve the Algerian people, as part of a strong relationship with the European Union, and in a continuous partnership with the European Union on the basis of balance of interests, and contributes to a large extent in ensuring energy for the European partner, in parallel with ensuring Algeria’s share in the market and for the profitability of the heavy investments if it is approved.”

Algerian diplomat gave an example of what he considers the depth and regularity of cooperation between Algeria and the European Union, and the visit, which led the 18 Algerian experts in the field of energy to the Belgian capital, Brussels, between July 11 and 13, to discuss ways and means to strengthen this strategic relationship in the long term, partnership is reliable between Algeria and the European Union in the field of energy, and it noticed new quality developments since the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in July 2013, which was marked by the high-level intensity and regularity of exchanges.

Belani showed deep concern of the readings that were provided by the “unknown source” of the Politico newspaper, and the “sustainable and structured relationships between Algeria and the European Union in the field of energy sector.