The country has an extensive coastline along the Mediterranean. Algeria is the largest country by area on the African continent, but the eighth largest by population with Algeria was a French colony that gained independence in The majority of its population practice Sunni Islam.
The seat of government is located in the capital city, Algiers, and is led by a national President elected to a five year term. The Act recognized the close relationship between European security and Mediterranean security, and in a contact group was formed to formally involve the southern Mediterranean countries with the OSCE. It has participated in the multitude of OSCE workshops and conferences aimed at the Mediterranean partners on topics such as combating terrorism, the role of armed forces in democratic societies and sustainable energy.
Algeria participated in the Seminar on Enhancing Co-operation to Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings in the Mediterranean Region, which was of particular relevance given the large number of Algerian citizens trafficked in Europe. In the OSCE Assembly sent a special delegation consisting of three senior members to observe the presidential election in Algeria. Pending donor support, the OSCE and Algeria plan to organize a two-week training on combating drug trafficking for twelve Algerian Law Enforcement officers.
Staff Contact: Everett Price , senior policy advisor. Alcee L. Hastings FL led a bipartisan, bicameral U. Andy Harris MD In Tunisia, the delegation met with Interim President Mohamed Ennaceur, who noted that that the gravest threat facing his nation is the economic and social despair afflicting many young people. Members also met with civil society to assess possible threats to the rule of law impacting both Israelis and Palestinians, and with Christian leaders to explore interreligious relations and the mediating role Christian churches play in the Holy Land.
During the OSCE PA Autumn Meeting, Chairman Hastings and other members of the delegation discussed ways to maximize cooperation with OSCE Mediterranean Partners in areas ranging from migration and human trafficking, to tolerance and non-discrimination, to energy and water, all in the context of good governance and democratic institutions. In August , the heads of state or government of 35 countries β the Soviet Union and all of Europe except Albania, plus the United States and Canada β held a historic summit in Helsinki, Finland, where they signed the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
