ALGIERS — Algeria has strongly rejected a decision by the European Commission to launch arbitration proceedings over alleged trade and investment restrictions, denouncing the move as unilateral and premature.
In a formal statement, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad expressed “surprise and regret” over the European Union’s decision, describing it as a hasty disruption of ongoing dialogue.
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade recently informed Algerian authorities of its intent to initiate arbitration, claiming Algeria’s actions violate the terms of the long-standing EU-Algeria Association Agreement.
Responding to the move, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf addressed an official letter to European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms
. Kaja Kallas. In it, he criticized the European side for acting after only two consultation sessions within a two-month period, emphasizing that six out of the eight contested issues were already on track to being resolved.
“Algeria had made practical proposals on the remaining two issues, but received no formal reply,” Attaf wrote, calling the Commission’s decision a “sudden and unjustified interruption of the dialogue” that had thus far been “constructive and calm.”
Attaf further argued that the EU’s approach violates both the spirit and letter of the Association Agreement, citing Articles 92 and 100.
He criticized Brussels for sidelining the Association Council — the key governing body of the agreement — and warned that the European Union was behaving as though the Council “no longer existed.”
The Algerian minister lamented that the Council has not convened in over five years, despite Algeria’s repeated and urgent calls. He stressed that this absence has deprived both sides of a vital mechanism for balanced decision-making and conflict resolution.
In his capacity as this year’s Chair of the Partnership Council, Attaf called for an emergency session of the Council to be held without delay. He insisted that any evaluation of bilateral disputes must take place within the institutional framework outlined in the Association Agreement and respect its legal provisions.
The diplomatic standoff marks a new strain in EU-Algeria relations, which have long been defined by complex negotiations over trade, migration, and energy cooperation.
About The Author
