The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, praised the purposeful, constructive, and valuable participation in the success of this meeting between African and North European countries, stating, “Our rich discussions have demonstrated a high sense of responsibility and a significant interest in the topics at hand, with a strong commitment to this important mechanism.”
During his reading of the closing statement, Attaf emphasized that summarizing the results of the meeting is not an easy task, adding, “I believe that five key conclusions stand out as we draw the curtain on this session.”
The minister stated that the proceedings affirmed the resilience and worthiness of this mechanism, which should be upheld by all, as it has greatly succeeded in strengthening our relationships and nurturing our shared endeavors. “We have developed a conviction to safeguard the institutional memory of our collective efforts,” he added, “Our discussions have highlighted the unprecedented challenges faced by the global situation, within a semi-paralyzed United Nations organization and a landscape of international relations marked by disruption and polarization, particularly in the Sahel region.”
Attaf called for turning these challenges into opportunities for cooperation and partnership, harnessing the immense youthful energy in Africa to serve our sustainable development goals, stating, “Our proceedings have reaffirmed our collective commitment to a multiparty international approach, and to an international system based on clear and just rules, to which all nations are equal, with a heard voice, guaranteed security, and respected interests.”
He added, “There is no doubt that our world today needs to uphold these values, as we witness the return of the logic of ‘balance of power,’ the logic of ‘overwhelming minorities at the expense of the marginalized majority,’ and the logic of ‘double standards’ in dealing with even the most atrocious crimes committed against entire populations, as seen in the recent massacre of our people in Gaza, amidst a terrible international silence. It’s as if the international community’s silence is saying, ‘Silence, there’s a people being killed! Silence, there’s a people being destroyed! Silence, there’s a people being displaced! Silence, there’s a people facing extermination.'”
Attaf pointed out that African-North European cooperation must continue to grow, setting an example within the broader framework of North-South partnership. This can be achieved by supporting African ownership and realizing continental goals and priorities, particularly within the ambitious 2063 agenda. This includes the African Continental Free Trade Area, which, by itself, is a comprehensive tool for Africa’s development, or in the context of efforts to ensure African ownership of African problems, by crystallizing mechanisms that are more responsive to the current continental needs in the areas of peacekeeping and security.
Taking the opportunity, Attaf reaffirmed that following Algeria’s election as a member of the United Nations Security Council, they are committed to continuing to work in coordination with everyone to promote international and regional peace and security goals. Algeria will also reinforce collective support for just causes, and amplify the voice of wisdom based on principles and values that serve all of humanity as a whole.
