Algeria, EU ink financing deals on transport, culture

Algeria and the European Union (EU) today signed financing agreements of cooperation programmes in transport, culture and youth development worth 58 million euros (RM226.7 million), Algeria Press Service (APS) reported.

The agreements were signed by Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission vice president, Catherine Ashton during her first visit to the country.

The first programme is for the protection and development of Algeria’s cultural heritage and includes technical assistance to the Ministry of Culture as part of the national development scheme.

The second programme will provide support to the transport sector while the third is a youth employment programme.

Ashton arrived in Alegria on Tuesday to strengthen dialogue on the propects for relations between the country and the EU.