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Algerian Foreign Minister refuses EU intervention in country's internal affairs

December 12, 2014 at 12:51 pm

Algeria will not allow foreign states or international organisations to interfere in the country’s internal affairs, the Anadolu Agency reported the Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra saying yesterday.

Last week, European diplomats told Algerian journalists in Brussels that the political situation in Algeria is difficult because they believe that re-electing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to a fourth term despite his ailing health is an incomplete democratic transition and therefore Algeria should work to change its political environment and find a clear path for democracy.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Peace and Security in Africa conference in the Oran province, 450 kilometres west of Algiers, Lamamra told reporters: “With the European Union organisational structure, there is a new administration, a new president and a new foreign policy representative with whom we conduct good consultations, however, there are those who act from individual beliefs.”

Lamamra pointed out that “Algeria enjoys excellent relations with the European Union member states. “Algeria is a major partner of the European Union and shares significant interests with it,” he said.

In November, the EU mission in Algeria held a series of meetings with several party leaders from the opposition and pro-government forces to discuss the political situation there, according to officials.

Algeria has witnessed heated political debates over Boutiflika’s ailing health since he was re-elected for a fourth term in April.

Opposition parties demanded early presidential elections be held because the president’s deteriorating health prevents him from performing his duties.