16/11/2011 President
Strasbourg, 16.11.2011 - “Algeria plays a key role for stability and economic development in the Euro-Mediterranean region, today said PACE President Mevlüt Çavusoglu, at the end of a three-day visit to the country.
“While I fully understand the Algerian wish to introduce reforms at their own pace and in accordance with the national realities and sensibility, and following the principle of sovereignty, many key issues require common responses and co-operation, such as fight against terrorism, illegal immigration, trafficking, inter-cultural dialogue and environment,” he added.
“Co-operation should be enhanced in a spirit of dialogue and mutual understanding, not by exporting models, but by learning to each other, and the Council of Europe’s expertise could be used by the Algerian authorities,” he stressed.
In addition, he encouraged authorities to request the PACE Partner for democracy status, which would give the Algerian parliamentarians – who are already coming to the PACE sessions under the terms of the Resolution on cooperation with Maghreb – more rights to take active part in deliberations on issues of common interest.
“In this respect, he added, Algeria qualifies on some of the key criteria for the Partnership status: multiparty system, moratorium on death penalty, efforts to enhance gender equality, organisation of elections according to democratic principles.”
“We are following with great interest the reforms announced last April by President Bouteflika aimed at changing legislation on elections, on political parties, liberalisation of broadcasting media, decriminalisation of press offence, participation of women in elected assemblies as well as a subsequent reform of the Constitution,” Mr Çavusoglu said, encouraging authorities to seek the opinion of the Venice Commission – of which Algeria is a member – on these laws, as well as on a forthcoming constitutional reform.
He also welcomed the intention of the authorities to invite international observers to the next parliamentary elections in spring 2012 and expressed his hope that PACE will be invited to observe these elections. Furthermore, he encouraged Algeria to join the Council of Europe North-South Centre.
During his visit, PACE President had talks with the Chairman of the Council of Nations Abdelkader Bensalah, the President of the National People’s Assembly Abdelaziz Ziari, the Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mourad Medelci.
He also met the Chairman of the National Consultative Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Mohamed Farouk Kessantini.