The president of the National Association of Algerian Exporters (Anexal), Ali Bey Nasri, draws a very negative assessment of the Algeria – European Union (EU) Association Agreement.
Fifteen years after its entry into force in 2005, what is the assessment for Algeria of the Association Agreement with the EU?
Ali Bey Nasri: The results are completely negative for Algeria. There have been very significant tax losses, estimated at $ 2 billion annually. But what I blame the European Union for is its mercantile treatment of the agreement. Algeria can no longer accept the asymmetry of the said agreement to the detriment of its economy. It is absolutely unfavorable to us. In this agreement, the EU saw Algeria as a market and did not act on the basis of shared prosperity. For me, it is unwise that this world economic power can handle the agreement without taking into account Algeria’s economic fragility. Therefore, she can no longer continue, she no longer has the means. Algeria is an important outlet for cereals (particularly French cereals, editor’s note), for pharmaceutical products and EU cars.
Should we get out of this chord, as some voices claim?
What I am asking my country to do is to negotiate a 2nd generation association agreement. The first chord is over, dead and buried. Algeria exports hydrocarbons to Europe while creating added value and jobs.
Perhaps a questioning is necessary: what do we have to offer Europeans apart from hydrocarbons?
The European Union was expected to help Algeria diversify its economy. The European Union should invest in us, help Algeria in training and technology transfer, upgrading, etc. If the EU does not understand the current situation of Algeria which is facing several crises, what does it want? Get down on our knees and drag ourselves in front of the IMF (International Monetary Fund)?
The European Union also drew a negative assessment of this agreement, accusing Algeria of having introduced a series of protectionist measures, following the fall in the price of oil to reduce the import bill …
Article 40 of the Association Agreement provides that Algeria may undertake protective measures and therefore our country is within its right to take the protective measures it deems necessary. It was to inform its European partners, as provided for in the agreement. Apart from that, all the countries of the world are defending their economy. Starting with France, where we speak for the first time of economic sovereignty and economic patriotism.
What are the main difficulties encountered by Algerian exporters on the European market?
Above all, it is increasingly restrictive standards and conditions. For us, access to European markets is becoming more and more restrictive.
