EU-Algeria trade and energy interests in the framework of the EMP [Ressource électronique] : the politics of 'specificity' in an interdependent relationship

The economic and financial 'basket' of the Barcelona Declaration set out the most elaborate of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP) agendas. The potential of cooperation between the EU and Algeria for the optimisation of both parties' interests in this context is significant, considering the complementarity characterising their economies, particularly in the areas of free trade and energy. However, the dynamics of interest divergence between the EU and Algeria in the context of Association Agreement negotiations have arguably inhibited the optimisation of the dyad's relationship in this context. This article aims to assess the politics of this interaction, tracing their evolution between 1995 and 2005. It argues that, within this timeframe, the EMP had a limited impact on the negotiating priorities of the EU and Algeria, which were more influenced by extra-EMP processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Contemporary European Studies is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)