Britain, Algeria Security Meeting About Libya Crisis, Ambassador Roper

UK Ambassador to Algeria, Martyn Roper has revealed that a high ranking security meeting between Britain and Algeria will be held in Algiers next October, to discuss the situation in the Maghreb region.

Mr Martyn Roper, who was the guest of Echorouk Forum on Tuesday, said that “Algeria is a key country in terms of counterterrorism in the region, and it should play thoroughly its role in that regard.” 

The UK diplomat further specified that the bilateral counterterrorism group is due to meet next October, in order to discuss security cooperation and also the situation in region, on the light of the crisis hitting Libya. 

He said “Regarding the critical situation in the region, we bid on cooperation of the Algerian government.”

“The meeting will be devoted to exchange views about the situation in the region, and other issues, including the incrimination of the ransoms payment to free kidnapped people,” Mr Martyn said.

“We have compatible views with Algeria, in terms of counterterrorism, including in the North African region,” the Ambassador stated, adding that “We are due to discuss cooperation opportunities in that field within the frame of the United Nations, for instance.”

Mr Martyn Roper mentioned “We understand worries of Algerian authorities concerning the increasing threat of Al-Qaeda, due to security chaos in Libya.” 

The two countries have already started cooperation in the military field. They are due to boost cooperation in the field of immigration, and “we hope to start consultations on that issue in the upcoming months,” he said.

The UK Embassy attributed 15 thousand visas to Algerian applicants in 2010, Mr Martyn said, stressing that there is no discrimination against Algerians in that term, because the applications are treated by a fast and efficient electronic system.