For the first time since Algeria’s independence 44 years ago, the president of this North African nation is officially visiting the United Kingdom. I’ve been looking forward to President Abduleziz Bouteflika’s visit to London beginning today. It has the potential of releasing a dynamic strategic partnership between the two countries that would definitely influence Algeria’s ties, both political and commercial, with France, its former colonial master.
Britain’s imperial past didn’t help in building easy relationship with Algeria; in fact it created misunderstanding and suspicion on both sides.
Yet it seems that the phase of contemplation and evaluating each other is over and the British people are opening up to this Arab country that is only two and half hours away from their capital city. The visit will pave the way for establishing an Algerian-British committee tasked with strengthening cooperation in all fields and creating a space for communication and interaction between the two capitals. Bouteflika’s talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair are expected to cover bilateral issues and international developments of mutual concern.
In general, four initial agreements will be officially announced. One of them has already caught the attention of the British public. It is concerned with deporting the seventeen imprisoned Algerians who are held in British prisons on charges of terrorism. Britain fears Algerian prisoners may be abused or even tortured once they are deported and has conveyed this concern to Algerians. But recent developments in Algeria show that the terms of the peace agreement and the national reconciliation that were put after referendum are generous enough to forgive the terrorists persuading them to shun violence and weapons and join the mainstream. Of course Algerians have not forgotten the responsibility of British authorities and security systems in helping the “refugee” terrorists during the 1990s and others such as Abu Hamza Al-Masry gain entry to Britain. These refugees, Algerians say, transformed London into a base for their terrorist networks in Algeria.
Bouteflika’s visit is sure to boost the economic and trade relations between the two countries. Shakeeb Khaleel, Algerian oil minister, who is accompanying the president, will have the opportunity of tackling the issue of The Royal Institute of International Affairs (RIIA), also known as Chatham House, addressing the energy policy for his country. Britain is interested in expanding its partnership with the Algerians in the energy field. Britain has a growing demand for gas, which has the least damaging effect on the environment. And compared to alternative sources of energy, the Algerian gas is cheap.
The “price crisis” between Ukraine and Russia that occurred in January has created new realities and fears in the energy market — as clarified by the American-European Summit in June. Right now Qatar and Algeria seem to be the only countries capable of providing Europe with the natural gas it needs.
The Algerian president’s visit comes at a very sensitive and important time. It takes place days before Blair will meet his counterparts from rich countries in the G-8 Summit to be held in St. Petersburg on July 15-17. The summit will discuss nuclear and energy issues. In addition, it will tackle the possibilities of the “Doha Rounds”. Any failure of Doha Rounds will have adverse effects on the economies of all developing countries.
In the light of these developments, Algeria, which is rich in oil and alternative energy resources, emerges as a key player with a stronger role in the international gas market. We must also remember that it’s the only country with an industrial base for exporting gas through LNG pipeline network.
Algeria is also an active member of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GAS OPEC) that was established in 2001. GAS OPEC members control 70 percent of the international gas stocks.
The British-Algerian partnership, therefore, offers promises of success if continued and strengthened. It will create a new business culture that will resist inherited behaviors of bribery and corruption. This will be the basis of discussions between Hameed Tammar, Algerian minister of privatization and cooperation/partnership with British businessmen and experts. The discussions will deal with privatizing banks and management besides fighting tax evasion.
Most importantly, Britain has realized and admitted its mistakes in dealing with Algeria, especially in the latter’s fight against terrorism. Algerians are looking forward to the next step in a relationship that may prove beneficial to the people of both Algeria and the United Kingdom.
