Catherine Ashton: Algeria can count on the strong ties with the EU

On an official visit to Algeria, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Deputy Chairman of the European commission, Mrs Catherine Ashton talks about the close relationships between the European Union and Algeria as well as its strategic partnership with this institution.

• On the eve of its fiftieth Independence Day, Algeria is regarded as a strategic partner to the European Union in the Maghreb region. This country is bound to Europe by historical, economic, cultural and human ties consolidated throughout the years by our growing bilateral cooperation initiated by the two parties since late 1970s.
• I’m equally glad to visit this country with which we are opening a new chapter after reaching a consensus after complex negotiations over commercial issues.
• It’s worth recalling that the European Union has sent a delegation of observers to supervise the legislative elections last spring at the request of the Algeria authorities. Beyond its technical task, the mission has given a fresh momentum toward the consolidation of our reciprocal trust and our political dialogue which is due to intensify in years to come, she added.
• Against a background of troubles that sweep through several Arab countries, it is important to mention that we have engaged with our Algerian partners in preparatory discussions with the aim to associate Algeria in the new European Neighbourhood Policy ( PEV).
• It is a promising step forward for our cooperation whose main objective is to consolidate our partnership by a series of actions in all sectors of activities of common interest.
• The preparation of a common action plan is not only an opportunity to consolidate our relations and contribute to the political reforms initiated by the president Bouteflika in 2011, but put at the disposal of Algeria additional cooperation tools.
• Catherine Ashton has indicated that the cooperation between Algeria and the EU is old in time, noting that the total amount of the cooperation underway apart from the States Members has reached 250 million Euros and the amount of the cooperation between the EU and Algeria over the period 2007- 2013 will exceed 350 million Euros.