Motion for a resolution | Doc. 14476 | 23 January 2018

Strengthening parliamentary dialogue with Algeria

Signatories: Mr Jacques MAIRE, France, NR ; Mr Werner AMON, Austria, EPP/CD ; Mr Pieyre-Alexandre ANGLADE, France, NR ; Mr Bertrand BOUYX, France, NR ; Ms Rósa Björk BRYNJÓLFSDÓTTIR, Iceland, NR ; Mr Bernard CAZEAU, France, NR ; Ms Yolaine de COURSON, France, NR ; Ms Jennifer DE TEMMERMAN, France, NR ; Mr Olivier DESTREBECQ, Belgium, ALDE ; Ms Albane GAILLOT, France, NR ; Mr André GATTOLIN, France, NR ; Mr Fabien GOUTTEFARDE, France, NR ; Ms Marietta KARAMANLI, France, SOC ; Ms Alexandra LOUIS, France, NR ; Ms Marija OBRADOVIĆ, Serbia, EPP/CD ; Mr Pieter OMTZIGT, Netherlands, EPP/CD ; Mr Bertrand SORRE, France, NR ; Ms Aleksandra TOMIĆ, Serbia, EPP/CD ; Ms Nicole TRISSE, France, NR ; Mr Jordi XUCLÀ, Spain, ALDE

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Relations between the Parliamentary Assembly and the three Maghreb States have intensified unevenly since the adoption of Resolution 1598 (2008) on Strengthening co-operation with the Maghreb countries.

In particular, significant progress has been made with Morocco. The Moroccan Parliament was the first to request and be granted partner for democracy status, which paved the way for setting up a far-reaching co-operation programme between the Council of Europe and the Moroccan Government.

Co-operation between the Tunisian authorities and the Council of Europe was strengthened following the ‟Jasmine Revolution”. Resolution 2166 (2017) and Recommendation 2103 (2017) on the Political transition in Tunisia aim to further boost this co-operation.

With regard to Algeria, a motion for a resolution on Establishing genuine parliamentary dialogue with Algeria was tabled in 2014. Some improvement has been noted in the relationship between Algeria and the Assembly, given the increasing number of exchanges between the Assembly and delegations from the Algerian Parliament. However, genuine parliamentary dialogue has yet to be established. Such dialogue is of paramount importance: Algeria is a crucial player in the southern Mediterranean region and it shares many challenges with Europe, in particular regarding migration and co-operation in the fight against terrorism. In addition, the country may, in the coming years, be faced with the need to carry out institutional and political reforms, and the Council of Europe’s experience could be useful.

Considering the efforts made with a view to strengthening co-operation with Algeria, the Assembly considers it useful to continue on this path and to make proposals in order to enhance parliamentary dialogue based on mutual interests and respect for universal values.