APS : Monday, 21 March 2016
ALGIERS- Algeria is a “pivotal country” in the resolution of conflicts and the fight against terrorism, said Monday in Algiers the Rapporteur of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), René Rouquet.
“Algeria is, today, a pivotal country in this global debate on terrorism and refugees around the world, which a matter of concern for all of us,” said Rouquet following his discussions with the Deputy Speaker of the Council of the Nation (Upper House of Parliament), Djamel Ould Abbes.
He said that Algeria was today “at the centre of these concerns, particularly with France and Europe,” adding “that is why we want to cooperate much more closely.”
To a question about the amendments to the Algerian Constitution, he said that the amended Constitution comprises “major changes and of course an improvement of the situation.”
“It is a document that is really quite timely, at a time when in Strasbourg (European Parliament) we want to move forward. It is a document that moves towards the main principles of the Council of Europe,” said Rouquet.
He added that he has been tasked by the Council of Europe to draw up a report on the situation in Algeria and relations with the Council, for our mutual understanding.”
The discussions between Ould Abbes and Rouquet were an opportunity to examine Algeria’s democratic experience since 1999 and the different measures taken to consolidate the achievements and individual liberties, following the amendments to the Constitution.
For his part, Ould Abbes said that these amendments were the “fruit of large political consultation, which involved all parties, civil society and national personalities.”
