appel à accélérer le lancement du processus de révision de l’Accord d’association
Summary of the Need for Revising the Algeria-European Union Association Agreement
On a recent parliamentary day in Algiers, legislators and officials highlighted the urgency of revising the Association Agreement between Algeria and the European Union (EU), initiated twenty years ago. They emphasized that the imbalanced implementation of this agreement has hindered Algeria from fully realizing its benefits.
The discussion was organized by the Front de libération nationale (FLN) parliamentary group under the theme "Evaluation and Revision Imperative of the Algeria-EU Association Agreement." Participants stressed that the agreement, which was intended to be based on an equitable partnership, has not delivered tangible benefits for Algeria. Nacer Bettiche, president of the FLN parliamentary group at the National People’s Assembly, stated that the Algerian decision to revise the agreement reflects a desire for an economic partnership that is fair, extending beyond economics to include the transfer of experience, technology, and the mobility of people.
Bettiche argued that two decades since the agreement’s enactment is ample time to reconsider its content, especially in light of Algeria’s current trend towards economic diversification. He noted that the agreement has not positively influenced the flow of productive European investments into Algeria. He called for the establishment of a national commission made up of representatives from relevant ministries and experts to assess the agreement clause by clause, suggesting amendments or new negotiations to restore balance and protect mutual interests.
Mourad Ami, a representative from the Directorate General of Customs, summarized the agreement’s history, revealing that Algeria’s imports had reached $391 billion since the agreement took effect in 2002, constituting 46.7% of the country’s total imports. Although Algeria recorded a $194 billion trade surplus with the EU during this period, this was primarily driven by hydrocarbons, which account for about 95% of Algeria’s exports and fall outside the agreement’s scope. This has resulted in unfair fiscal advantages for the EU at the expense of Algeria’s public treasury.
Additionally, Mohamed Tifouri, director of digitization, foresight, and statistics at the Ministry of Agriculture, pointed out a significant decline in agricultural exports from Algeria to EU countries over the years, even though the partnership includes protocols for agriculture, fisheries, and food products. He highlighted that the commercial balance heavily favored the EU, as Algerian agricultural products often face non-tariff barriers, such as technical specifications, health standards, and complex customs procedures.
Tifouri emphasized that Algerian goods are subject to bureaucratic challenges in EU countries, enduring unfair standards and unjustified delays at entry points, leading to increased costs and compromised quality. He urged for streamlined technical and health control procedures for agricultural exports to the EU, advocating for their transparent and non-discriminatory application.
The overall consensus among speakers was that the Algeria-EU cooperation needs fundamental reassessment to foster a more balanced and beneficial economic relationship. The proposed measures, including the creation of a dedicated commission for evaluation and negotiation, aim to address longstanding disparities and enhance trade opportunities across various sectors, particularly agriculture. This revision process is viewed as essential for fostering a sustainable and mutually advantageous partnership that aligns with Algeria’s economic aspirations.
