Algeria to review association agreement with the European Union
Algeria has decided to respond to the increase in criticism of its policies from European countries with the striking decision to review the Association Agreement with the European Union once again.
The North African country has been questioned in the field of human rights and freedom of the press, precisely after the case of Boualem Sansal, a writer critical of religious fundamentalism, who was arrested on 16 November on his arrival at Algiers airport from France and has been missing ever since. Algeria has responded to the accusations inconsistently, with politically inappropriate arguments.
For his part, the Algerian president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, tried to justify his policy at the head of the nation with economic data and arguing that ‘the revision of this agreement is necessary in view of the current economic reality, knowing that since its entry into force in 2005, Algeria's exports were mainly based on hydrocarbons, while today, our non-hydrocarbon exports have diversified and extended to other areas, including agricultural production, minerals, cement and food and other products’.
However, observers consider this step to be a clear example of increased political tensions clearly aimed at sending messages to the European Union and France, following criticism of the Algerian regime by these countries.
In this way, the Algerian government is trying to present the revision of the association agreement as a key move to boost the Algerian economy, claiming that its sole objective is to protect the state economic system and support local products.
Despite the regime's attempts to conceal its intentions, it is clear that the country is trying to reword the terms to coerce Europe and avoid criticism, which could be interpreted as an escape route from the international political commitments made by Algeria when signing this agreement.
A very important agreement
The agreement between Algeria and the EU, in force since 2005, is of great importance to both parties and plays a crucial role in bilateral relations, covering both economic and political interests.
For Algeria, it represents a key opportunity to strengthen its economic relationship with Europe, especially in the energy sector. The agreement also provides an ideal framework for political cooperation and support in areas such as security and immigration.
For its part, the EU is seeking to secure stable and diversified energy sources, as well as a strategic partner in the Mediterranean, favouring stability in the region, something that is key for Europe.
However, Algerian complaints have tried to give the agreement a negative connotation, claiming that the national economy has not benefited at all from it. On the other hand, experts say that the real problems lie in the country's mismanagement and excessive dependence on hydrocarbons, leaving aside the terms of the agreement itself.
Measures taken by Algeria
In addition to manoeuvring economically, Algeria has accused France of trying to discredit Algerian products such as dates and chocolate in European markets, accusations that seem to reflect more political confusion than a real strategy to deal with international criticism.
There are also other measures on the part of Algeria that could indicate a strategy by the country to create imaginary conflicts and divert attention from the real internal crisis. Among them are the declarations of Algerian officials about the promotion of Arabic and English, to the detriment of French, and the adoption of diplomatic initiatives against what they called ‘European interventions’.
Apparently, with these actions, the military regime seeks to present itself as a victim of European ‘supremacist’ attempts. However, this approach has failed to convince many, as it is considered that the regime is clinging to this discourse to boost patriotic sentiments and divert attention from the real problems, such as the lack of freedoms, the deterioration of services and the continued dependence on oil. All this, in a context in which Algeria is suffering a severe economic crisis marked by inflation and high unemployment.
In response, the Algerian president denied that the review of the agreement was the result of a conflict, saying that ‘it aims to support the good relations between Algeria and the European Union as an economic partner based on the principle of mutual benefit’, according to the statement of the Council of Ministers.
Political confusion
Algeria's reactions to European and French criticism are not helping the country to overcome its real problems. Rather, they demonstrate a state of political confusion and a clear lack of mature diplomatic strategy. Instead of seeking a productive conversation and improving its situation in the field of human rights, Algeria has chosen to adopt a hostile attitude and various political manoeuvres that many see as immature reactions, designed to hide the real crises the country is going through.
If the country really wants to strengthen its international role, it should stop looking for culprits and start looking inwards at its own administration. This means improving governance, guaranteeing freedoms and diversifying the economy beyond fuels, instead of generating unnecessary conflicts.