EFTA aims at complementing its network of Free Trade Agreements with partner countries in the Mediterranean region. Started in November 2007, the negotiating process with Algeria made substantial headway during the 3rd round of talks.

Apart from trade in industrial goods, in agricultural products and fish, areas such as rules of origin, intellectual property rights and technical cooperation were discussed. Negotiations between the two sides are expected to be concluded in the autumn of this year.

The EFTA delegation was led by Ambassador Norbert Frick from Liechtenstein, while Mr Ammar Boularak, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Commerce, headed the Algerian delegation.