APS : Wednesday, 17 February 2016
ALGIERS- Minister of Maghreb Affairs, African Union and Arab League Abdelkader Messahel on Wednesday here discussed with a delegation of the European Union (EU) the situation in Libya and the Sahel, and the fight against terrorism.
“We have discussed the international situation, particularly the challenges we are facing with terrorism and the threat of terrorist group ISIS,” Assistant General Secretary for EU Service for External Action Pedro Serrano told the press.
Stress was “on the situation in Libya and in the region of Sahel.”
The same official added that the meeting which was centered on “how to deepen” cooperation between Algeria and the EU “which are concerned by the same issues” showed “wide convergence of views.”
During the meeting, Algeria reiterated its position for “a comprehensive approach which tackles the deep roots of terrorism, through a solution which combines the dimensions of security, development and human rights respect.”
Indeed, Algeria called for “quickly move towards a political solution” through the support for the Libyan government resulting from the UN-brokered dialogue process.
It also calls for the political settlement of the Syrian crisis as well as the stabilization of Mali, as part of Algiers agreement.
Concerning the issue of the illegal migration also broached during this meeting, Algeria recommended to deal with the genuine causes of this scourge, which are “political given the number of crises, but also economic reflected in the existing disparities between the South and North countries.”
This is the only way to “combat international terrorism and reduce illegal migration.”
The meeting took place at the request of EU for the importance of Algeria as a key player in the region and given its experience in the fight against terrorism and deradicalization.
The two sides expressed their readiness to continue bilateral discussions and to strengthen their cooperation in a “mutually beneficial framework based on trust and loyalty.”
