The programmes were signed under the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation between Spain and Algeria, with the aim of contributing to the socio-economic development of both countries.
The Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Isabel García Tejerina, and Algeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ramtane Lamamra, signed the agreements in a ceremony held at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Madrid.
Agriculture and livestock agreement
The bilateral agreement on Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development focuses on the technical and technological fields, to promote a high level of environmental protection under the principles of sustainable development.
It also will promote the development of economic and trade exchanges, and protecting human health, animal health and plant protection.
Specifically, the areas of cooperation will focus on institutional and legislative aspects in agriculture. The exchange of information, technical documentation and experience in the field of modern irrigation techniques will be improved.
Moreover, cooperation in preventing disease, phytosanitary surveillance and border control, veterinary alert networks, and feed control is encouraged.
To benefit livestock industries, the agreement will assist in the monitoring of epidemics, and control and combat animal diseases relevant to both countries. Spain and Algeria also exchange advice and assistance in implementing improvement programmes and conservation of livestock breeds, especially those that are endangered.
At the same time, Spain and Algeria pledged closer relations on issues such as animal welfare and traceability systems, the development of agricultural insurance systems and the exchange of experience in the management, development and sustainable management of forestresources, river basin treatment and combating desertification.
The development of eco-tourism in protected areas, promoting the use of renewable energies for the development of the agricultural sector and the marketing and consumption of food products, are other aims of the project.
To implement this agreement, the two countries plan to establish a Monitoring Committee, comprising representatives of both countries, which will meet every two years.
Fisheries and aquaculture agreement
The programme covering Fisheries and Aquaculture will facilitate the exchange of information on sustainable management of fisheries resources and technical assistance in managing fish markets, the marketing of seafood products, and traceability mechanisms.
Through this agreement, the two countries will strengthen the training of researchers and their participation in scientific meetings. Similarly, the cooperation will be extended to the development and promotion of the aquaculture industry, boosting the participation of operators and professionals in the trade fairs and promoting contacts between economic operators of both countries.
For the implementation and monitoring of the Fisheries and Aquaculture agreement, Spain and Algeria agreed to create a Joint Technical Committee, which will meet every two years.
