The EU wants to "revive" trade talks with Algeria

ALGIERS - The European Union intends to "boost" talks with Algeria in the context of new negotiations in June on the basis of an association agreement signed in 2005, said Wednesday the head of a delegation of the Commission.

•    "We asked that contact be revitalized and more frequent, especially with the Ministry of Trade, said during a press conference, Tomas Dupla del Moral, Director for the Southern Mediterranean and Middle East at the Directorate General for External Relations. 
  
•    "We had cordial discussions with our Algerian partners with whom we discussed all issues on trade, cooperation in energy, European investment, agriculture and fisheries and the accession of Algeria to the WTO, "he added. 
  
     He said that the Association Council between the two parties would meet in June for further discussions on the agreement, Algeria seeking the revision of certain clauses. 
  
     Entered into force in 2005, the Association Agreement was strongly criticized by Algerian business leaders who believe it promotes Europe at the expense of their products. 
  
     Mr. Dupla del Moral said for his part that "the provisions of the Supplementary Budget Law (LFC) adopted in late 2009 by Algeria introduced the character "discriminatory" in investments. 
  
     According to the LFC in particular, the capital of any new foreign company must be owned, at least 51%, by an investor in Algeria. 
  
     However, "the European direct investment in Algeria increased from 234 million euros in 2003 to 1.14 billion euros in 2008," said Dupla del Moral for whom the EU has "positive relations with Algiers ".
  
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.