November 6, 2009 -- The EU Delegation in Algeria has organised a two-day meeting between European and Algerian writers around the theme of ‘Intercultural dialogue and the role of writers in the promotion of diversity’. A press release said ten writers from EU member states had taken part in the event together with their Algerian counterparts, participating in a series of workshops, such as, ‘Writing, a thought without frontiers’ and ‘Intercultural dialogue: the role of writers in accepting the other’. In her introduction to the event, Head of Delegation, Ambassador Laura Baeza, said that, “In a context of globalisation, writers contribute to the construction of intercultural dialogue based on the respect and affirmation of the other… They are the ambassadors of universal thought.” The meeting was part of a series of events organised to mark the 30th anniversary of the opening of the EU Delegation in Algeria.

According to the ENPI’s National Indicative Programme (NIP) for Algeria 2007-2013, “Algeria has made a considerable effort in favour of ratification of the Association Agreement (AA). Moreover, the government’s reform programme gives a privileged role to the AA in the framework of the liberalisation of its economy.” The ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – Implementation of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2008’, (23 April 2009) adds that, “a roadmap for the implementation of the Association Agreement with Algeria was agreed by the Association Committee in September [2008].” Algeria participates in the ENP. However the Country Report, on which an Action Plan would be based, is still under development. The NIP says that, “in the case of Algeria, ratification of the AA has been a difficult exercise for the authorities, who have invested heavily in political links with the EU. At this stage, it is premature to anticipate the adoption of a Neighbourhood Action Plan with Algeria that would contain specific objectives.”

Since September 2005 relations between Algeria and the EU are developed under a legally binding Association Agreement. This foresees a free trade area between the EU and Algeria within 12 years, and provides the framework for cooperation in the political, economic, social, scientific and cultural fields. It also includes provisions allowing the coverage of political questions (international, domestic, human rights and democracy) and migration.