Algeria faces annual losses running into billions of dollars because of its association agreement with the European Union. This assessment comes from a respected economist who teaches at Umm El Bouaghi University and is cited by RIA News. He argued that Algeria did not achieve the promised gains and has borne substantial costs under the EU partnership.
The expert noted that the European side benefits from customs advantages for its products, while Algeria has not realized the expected returns from the accord. The original agreement envisioned gains for Algeria in exchange for European investment and technology, but the analyst argues that the country has not received what was promised for many years.
As a result, Algerian political leaders and the public have flagged the need to reassess the partnership. The prevailing view is that many provisions of the agreement have not delivered as anticipated, and if the situation remains unchanged, a revision would be necessary to ensure mutual advantages for both blocs.
In mid-August, discussions in Algeria reflected speculation that Europe might diversify away from Russian gas by sourcing electricity and fuel from other regions, including Nigeria, potentially signaling strategic shifts in energy imports and regional cooperation.
Additionally, there have been conversations about broader regional collaborations and stability initiatives involving Niger, with loans, diplomacy, and cooperation framed as part of a larger effort to restore political balance and economic continuity in neighboring states. These conversations underscore a wider context in which Algeria’s EU relationship sits, including how energy, trade, and political alignment influence bilateral and regional dynamics. [Source attribution: RIA News via the cited economist]”}