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The European Commission said on Tuesday that it was not intending to ask either Algeria or Niger for any clarification regarding their bilateral commitments, a day after Niger’s government summoned an EU representative in Niamey amid controversy over Algeria’s troop deployment in the Republic of Niger.
Asked about the matter at its midday briefing, a Commission spokesperson said: “The Algerian decision to deploy troops in Niger is linked to the bilateral relationship between Algeria and Niger.” He added: “The European Union would like to clarify that it was not intending to ask either party for any clarification regarding their bilateral commitments.” He said the EU does not comment on confidential diplomatic conversations. The quotations are from the Commission’s published English transcript.
Niger’s government, in a communiqué reproduced by Africactu, said it “does not need Brussels’ permission” to exercise its sovereignty. Anadolu reported the Monday summons of a senior EU official.