BRUSSELS – The European Union (EU) is “ready” to deploy an observation mission during the legislative elections scheduled for 4 May, the offices of the EU diplomacy Chief Federica Mogherini said.
“The European Union says it is ready to deploy an electoral observation mission to assess the electoral process,” according to a statement issued after Wednesday’s meeting in Brussels between Mogherini and Minister of State, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ramtane Lamamra.
Indeed, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy “accepted the invitation of Minister Lamamra last 22 January for the follow-up of the 4 May 2017 legislative elections in Algeria.”
The relationship between the EU and Algeria has witnessed “many encouraging developments” since Mogherini’s last visit to Algiers in September 2015, they said.
“The High Representative and Vice-President reiterated the European Union’s readiness to strengthen relations with Algeria,” the source said, stressing that the EU-Algeria partnership “will now focus on the ‘jointly identified’ priorities, as part of the renewed European Neighborhood Policy.”
These priorities will be formally adopted at the Association Council, scheduled for 13 March in Brussels.
Moreover, Mogherini “welcomed Algeria’s efforts in terms of monitoring peace agreements in Mali and mediating alongside other regional actors in Libya.”
In this regard, Lamamra and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy “agreed to continue consultations with a view to strengthening their dialogue and cooperation,” the statement said.
They also addressed other issues related to the common regional challenges of the EU and Algeria, to include security, prevention and fight against terrorism and migration.
Source: Legislative elections 2017: EU “ready” to deploy observer mission
