Council of Europe: Algeria invited to integrate the Parliamentary Assembly

The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Luis Maria de Puig, expressed in Algiers Sunday in favour of an integration of Algeria and other Maghreb countries in the institution for strengthen their relations.

•     "Our ambition, as the great parliamentarians of Europe is to have you with us and see also the Maghreb countries joining this institution, because we need you," said Mr. De Puig to the press at the end of an audience with President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
  
      "We need the presence of a country like Algeria, which knows Africa and the Mediterranean," he explained.
  
      "This is a request or offer to discuss the concerns of the future in the Mediterranean, Africa and around the world," added Mr. De Puig
  
      The President of PACE was "very honoured to be able to transmit to the President Bouteflika of this objective from a majority of European countries that want to start a new relationship with the southern Mediterranean."
  
      "It belongs to Algeria to decide what rules it wants to participate in this great organization," he said.
  
      It will provide an "enrichment" for the PACE, said Mr de Puig.
  
      Algeria and other countries south of the Mediterranean have a status of "partners" in the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of the EU, according to Mr de Puig.
  
      PACE, created 60 years ago, is composed of parliamentarians from 47 European countries.
  
      
  Ennaharonline/afp