Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - European Union 17/07/2025
The Directorate-General for Trade of the European Commission has notified the competent Algerian authorities of the opening of an arbitration procedure regarding what is presented as restrictions on trade and investment contrary to the Association Agreement linking Algeria and the European Union.
In response, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, sent on Thursday an official letter on the subject to Madam Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
In his letter, the Minister of State wished to express the surprise of the Algerian side at the hasty and unilateral European decision to close the consultation phase and trigger an arbitration procedure, even though only two consultation meetings had been held over a short period of two months, and that six of the eight disputes raised by the European side were in the process of being resolved.
Nothing in the evolution of the constructive and calm consultations justified such an abrupt interruption of the dialogue, especially since the Algerian side had submitted concrete proposals on the two other points of divergence, without having received a formal response from its European counterpart.
Furthermore, Ahmed Attaf highlighted the unilateral nature of the European approach, which he considers contrary to both the spirit and the letter of the Association Agreement, notably its Articles 92 and 100. He particularly regretted that the European side seemed to act as if the Association Council, the central decision-making body of the Agreement, no longer existed.
The Minister of State noted that it is the Association Council, and it alone, that has the authority to assess the results of consultations and draw conclusions. However, this Council has not been convened for five years, despite persistent demands from the Algerian side, thereby depriving both partners of an important institutional framework whose purpose is to ensure balanced development of the bilateral relationship and play a central role in dispute resolution.
Given this situation, and in his capacity as president of the Association Council for the current year, the Minister of State has requested that a session of the Association Council be convened as soon as possible to enable a comprehensive and balanced examination of all concerns of both parties, in accordance with the legal framework established by the Association Agreement.
consultation meetings were held over a short two-month period, and that six of the eight disputes raised by the European side were on track toward resolution. He emphasized that nothing in the constructive and calm course of the consultations justified such an abrupt interruption of dialogue, particularly since the Algerian side had submitted concrete proposals on the remaining two points of disagreement, yet received no formal response from its European counterpart.
Furthermore, Mr. Ahmed Attaf highlighted the unilateral nature of the European initiative, which he considers contrary to both the spirit and the letter of the Association Agreement, particularly Articles 92 and 100. He specifically regretted that the European side appeared to act as though the Association Council—the central decision-making body of the Agreement—no longer existed.
The Minister of State recalled that it is the Association Council, and it alone, that is responsible for assessing the outcomes of consultations and drawing the appropriate conclusions. However, this Council has not been convened in five years, despite repeated requests from the Algerian side, thereby depriving both partners of an important institutional framework. This framework is intended not only to ensure a balanced evolution of the bilateral relationship but also to play a central role in dispute resolution.
In light of this situation, and in his capacity as President of the Association Council for the current year, the Minister of State has requested that a session of the Council be convened as soon as possible. The aim is to enable a comprehensive and balanced review of all the concerns raised by both parties, in full respect of the legal framework established by the Association Agreement.