Bernard Kouchner starts visit to Algeria to spur Euro-Mediterranean Union project

According to French diplomatic sources in Algiers , the visit today to Algeria by French foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner is evidence of the good evolution of Algerian-French relations witnessed over the past few months.

The same sources said that these relations had steadily improved despite the wide divergences still existing between the 2 sides over the historical burden of French colonialism and its misdeeds during Algeria’s occupation by France between 1830 and 1962.

Bernard Kouchner’s visit comes in the wake of a similar one paid to Algeria last week by French Interior Minister Alliot Marie who had talks with several senior Algerian officials on ways of boosting Algerian-French cooperation in all fields of endeavour notably in the security field with a sustained cooperation in the anti-terrorism struggle.

Alliot Marie was also received by the head of state Mr. Abdellaziz Bouteflika.

Mr. Bernard Kouchner’s stay here will be yet another opportunity to examine ways to further reinforce Algerian – French relations and to explore how best to advance the French ” proposed Euro” Mediterranean  Union project.

France is seeking Algeria’s full backing for the project which was put on track late last year by French President Nicholas Sarkozy as part of a plan aimed at turning the Euro-Mediterranean space into a genuine haven of peace, stability and cooperation.