EPP Group meets Algerian MPs ahead of the Union for the Mediterranean and EPP family meeting in Jordan

EPP Group Exchange Programme with Algeria in Brussels 27-30 January

In view of the upcoming Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, scheduled for 8-9 February 2014 in Jordan, the EPP President and EPP Group Chairman Joseph Daul and EPP Group Vice-Chairman Vito Bonsingore have invited ten Algerian MPs and two representatives of the Algerian civil society to the European Parliament in the context of the exchange programmes the EPP family is organising with Mediterranean countries.

Open political dialogue with different political parties in the neighbouring region

With so much going on in the Mediterranean, the EPP Group wants to enter into an open dialogue with different political parties hailing from a wide spectrum of political beliefs in the wider region. The EPP Group also wants to engage with small parties which are not represented in their National Parliaments.

The EPP family is willing to enhance a strong political dialogue with the neighbouring countries. The success of previous meetings shows that this is the right track. Social, political and economic developments on both shores of the Mediterranean are crucial topics that the EPP family intends to analyse and discuss.

Debating neighbourhood policy and the strategy for the Mediterranean

On Tuesday at 15.30 hrs, the Algerian MPs and the EPP Group MEPs will discuss the neighbourhood policy and our strategy for the Mediterranean. Journalists are permitted to conduct interviews on the sidelines of the meeting which will be held at the European Parliament in room ASP 1E1.

On Tuesday at 19.00 hrs, journalists are invited to a reception with MEPs and Algerian MPs at the Centre for European Studies, 11-20, Rue du Commerce, 1000 Brussels.

On Tuesday, Hugues Mingarelli, Managing Director for the Middle East and Southern Neighbourhood at the European External Action Service (EEAS), will introduce EU-Algerian relations under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Wednesday afternoon will be almost entirely dedicated to the future of the Union for the Mediterranean. Dr Shaddad Attili, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean will give a keynote speech. Fawzi Dib, Senior Advisor on Economic Development and SMEs of the Union for the Mediterranean will also participate. Journalists are permitted to conduct interviews on the sidelines of the meeting which will be held at the European Parliament in room ASP 1E1.

Former dialogues with Tunisian and Moroccan MPs

In September 2012, the EPP Group invited Tunisian Members of Parliament and members of the Tunisian civil society and in September 2013, the EPP Group invited Moroccan Members of Parliament and members of the Moroccan civil society.