In the last few months, the European Union has increased its relations with Algeria due to its increased dependence on gas after the war in Ukraine. The European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, visited the North African country himself last October and said that “Algeria is a reliable supplier”.
Other member states, such as France and Italy, also added praise to Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s regime. However, Algiers has become a key ally of Moscow in Putin’s war against Ukraine.
Algeria has been the carrier of Russian aircraft in the Mediterranean. The Algerian and Russian armies have carried out joint military maneuvers in recent months, including in Algerian territory near the Moroccan border. In addition, the regime in Algiers is one of the main financiers of Putin’s aggression against Ukraine, as it is one of Russia’s main clients for the purchase of weapons.
This situation has been criticized in the United States Congress and in the European Parliament. After that, on November 16, 17 MEPs sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen asking for a revision of the association agreement between the European Union and Algeria, which took effect in 2005, because of the many links between Algeria and Moscow.
This Wednesday, February 23, on the eve of the anniversary of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the United Nations General Assembly met in a special session to approve a resolution calling on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and demanding that Russia “respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.
However, resolutions approved by a large majority are not binding. However, it is a good thermometer to gauge international support for Russia and Ukraine.
Putin’s aggression against Ukraine leaves no room for half measures. Algeria’s non-support for the resolution supports the close relationship between Algeria and Moscow.
Algeria is not a reliable partner. The European Union must be consistent in its efforts to support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and, therefore, reconsider its partnership with Moscow’s allies. Nonsense, on the one hand, we are strengthening, with public money, the Kiev army for defense and, on the other hand, we are improving relations with the allies who attacked Ukraine. The revision of the association agreement between the European Union and Algeria is very important.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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