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Middle East and North Africa
Algeria |
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Last reviewed: 17 July 2009 |
Country information
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Algeria is active internationally, taking a leading role on developing world issues and acting as a champion for independence movements. Algeria has also been active in the UN - it was elected to the Security Council for 2004-5 - as well as being a prominent member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the African Union (AU) and the Arab League. Algeria sits on the steering committee of the New Partnership for Africa's Development Initiative (NEPAD) and participates in the Peer Review Mechanism.
Algeria signed an Association Agreement with the European Union (EU) in April 2002, under which Algeria undertook to open its markets over the following 12 years. The United Kingdom ratified the Agreement on 1 March 2004, one of the first member states to do so. The Agreement came into force on 1 September 2005 with the first Council meeting taking place in May 2006. Algeria’s relations with its neighbour Morocco have long been strained over the issue of Western Sahara. The Algeria-Morocco border has been closed since 1994.
The Polisaro Front, who claim to represent the population of Western Sahara and are campaigning for self-determination, are based in Tindouf in western Algeria. Algeria supports calls for a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara. Active diplomatic efforts to find a solution regarding the sovereignty of Western Sahara are ongoing within the UN. The UK supports the efforts of the UN Secretary General to find a political solution to the dispute that will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.
ALGERIA'S RELATIONS WITH THE UK
Diplomatic Representation
We have full diplomatic relations with Algeria. Algeria is represented in London by His Excellency Mr Mohamed Salah Dembri. Our Ambassador to Algiers is His Excellency Mr Andrew Henderson.
Recent Developments
In 2006 the UK and Algeria signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a Bilateral Ministerial Committee; the UK-Algeria Joint Committee on Bilateral Relations. The Committee provides a framework for political dialogue between the two countries, meeting annually to discuss political, economic, educational, cultural and international issues. The first meeting of the Committee took place on 8 June 2006 in Algiers, co-chaired by FCO Minister Dr Kim Howells and Abdelkader Messahel, the Deputy Foreign Minister. A second meeting of the Committee took place in London in July 2007. The third meeting took place in Algeria in November 2008.
During the visit to the UK of President Bouteflika in July 2006 the Home Secretary and the Algerian Minister of Justice signed four treaties on judicial co-operation. The treaties covered Extradition, Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Judicial Co-operation in Civil and Commercial Matters, and the Readmission and Circulation of Persons.
Recent Visits
Inward
- Mr Abdelhamid Temmar, Minister for Industry and Promotion of Investment, visited the UK in November 2008, to co-chair the UK/Algeria Trade and Investment Conference.
- Mr Abdelkader Messahel visited the UK in July 2007 for the second round of the UK-Algeria Joint Committee on Bilateral Relations.
- President Bouteflika visited the UK in July 2006. This was the first official visit by a President of Algeria since independence in 1962. During the visit he met Her Majesty the Queen, had talks with the Prime Minister, and met UK business leaders. He was accompanied by Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Justice, Energy and Mines, Participation and Investment Promotion, and Financial Reform.
- President Bouteflika attended the discussions on Africa at the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in July 2005.
- Mr Abdelaziz Belkhadem, Algeria's then Foreign Minister, visited London on 1 March 2005.
- Mr Aboubakr Benbouzid, Algeria's Minister for Education, visited London in January 2005, during which he attended the Department for Education and Skills "Moving Young Minds" seminar and met with Stephen Twigg, Minister of State for School Standards.
Outward
- HRH The Duke of York visited in May 2009 in his capacity as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade & Investment. HRH also opened the new British Embassy building in Algiers during his visit.
- Lord Davies, FCO Minister for Trade, Investment & Business, visited Algiers in February 2009 to co-chair the inaugural meeting on trade & Investment under the auspices of the UK-Algeria Joint Committee on Bilateral Relations.
- Bill Rammell, FCO Minister responsible for relations with North Africa, visited Algiers in November 2008, to co-chair the third round of bilateral talks.
- HRH The Duke of York visited in November 2007 in his capacity as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade & Investment
- Dr Howells, FCO Minister responsible for North Africa, visited Algiers in June 2006 for the inaugural meeting of the Algeria – UK-Algeria Joint Committee on Bilateral Relations.
- Jack Straw, then Foreign Secretary, visited Algiers in February 2006.
- The Lord Mayor of London visited Algiers in January 2006 accompanied by a delegation of business leaders from the City of London.
- Dr Kim Howells, FCO Minister responsible for UK relations with North Africa, visited Algiers in July 2005.
