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Plassnik: New phase in relations with Algeria

Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik chairs first Association Council EU-Algeria

Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik today chaired the first Association Council with Algeria in her capacity as President of the Council of the EU.

"Today’s first Association Council meeting with Algeria shows we have entered a new phase in our relations. Algeria is an important partner for security, stability and cooperation in the Mediterranean region. The association agreement that entered into force last September represents a new basis for our broad-based dialogue; we want to step up that dialogue on all levels, on themes ranging from the economy, energy and migration to consolidation of democracy and human rights”, Plassnik said.

In connection with the social and economic reform efforts in Algeria, she said the EU would stand by Algeria in this modernisation process. These reform steps also concern improving the situation with regard to fundamental rights and human rights in Algeria: "As the security situation considerably improved last year, we hope the state of emergency can soon be lifted. The EU welcomes and supports the intensive efforts to bring about national reconciliation; however, the rights of the victims of crimes during the dark period of internal conflict must not be forgotten. The EU has also welcomed the latest amnesty for imprisoned journalists and expressed the hope that the Algerian authorities are ready to respect freedom of the press and make appropriate changes to the application in practice of the defamation law. We are confident Algeria will courageously continue along the path on which it has embarked."

According to Plassnik, the main obstacle to regional cooperation in the Maghreb is still the "unsolved Western Sahara question. The EU supports the efforts of the United Nations to work towards a long overdue solution of the conflict. We hope the latest releases on both sides will help build a climate of confidence between the parties."

She said  migration had been another key topic of discussion: “We share the goal of managing migration flows better. To do that we plan to structure and step up our dialogue.” This, she said, included the regional and continental conferences scheduled for the second half of 2006.