APS : Thursday, 20 July 2017
ALGIERS- The first session of Algeria-European Union counterterrorism mechanism will take place in Brussels, Belgium in October, announced Thursday in Algeria Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel.
“As part of the fight against terrorism, a mechanism will be set up between Algeria and the EU. The first session (of this mechanism) will be held in Brussels in October,” said Messahel following his discussions with the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn.
The Foreign minister said that he had an extensive exchange of views with Hahn on relations between Algeria and the EU.
“It was an opportunity to assess Algeria-EU relations and examine cooperation with the EU, which is Algeria’s primary partner,” said Messahel adding that the discussions were also an opportunity to examine ways and means to “strengthen, diversify and broaden” this cooperation, especially in economic areas.
“We have also underlined Algeria’s achievements, through the reforms initiated by the President of the Republic, in terms of strengthening of democracy and freedoms,” he said, dubbing “satisfactory” cooperation between Algeria and the EU.
Messahel said that they have broached other important issues for both the EU and Algeria, especially the fight against terrorism, in addition to Algeria’s experience in deradicalization and national reconciliation.
“We have also discussed conflicts in our region, particularly in Libya, as we are partners with the EU and the United Nations in the search for a political solution to the crisis in that country, in addition to the situation in the Sahel, especially in Mali,” he said.
For his part, Hahn underlined the close cooperation between the EU and Algeria, adding that the discussions with Messahel focused on economic issues, especially energy cooperation.
“We have also listened to Algeria’s expertise on the situation in the region, particularly in Libya,” he said.
“The joint cooperation in deradicalization and fight against terrorism is important for Algeria and the EU,” added the European commissioner.
