Summer University’s Address: Elbinaa El Watani Party’s President Unveils Ambitious Vision for a Flourishing Nation, Touches on Regional Issues

BY: Hana Saada

ALGIERS, July 20, 2023 – In a powerful speech delivered at the opening of the Summer University in Tipaza, Mr. Abdelkader Bengrina, the President of Elbinaa El Watani Party, delivered an address discussing crucial national issues and outlining his vision for the future of Algeria. The speech touched on topics ranging from education reform and political action to economic dynamism and regional stability.

In his address, Mr. Bengrina began by congratulating all Algerian families on their children’ success in obtaining the baccalaureate degree and urging the government to take good care of these successful students and others in different educational stages. He emphasized the need to put the educational, university, and training systems back on the research and development table to prepare for future challenges.

The Summer University, a long-standing tradition of the Elbinaa El Watani party, gathered cadres and activists from various regions to discuss the country’s affairs and the movement’ strategies. Mr. Bengrina praised this tradition of dialogue and communication, highlighting its importance in shaping the movement’s vision and leadership.

In his speech, Bengrina discussed the major theme of political action from the perspective of current national roles. He highlighted the significance of this topic and the benefits it will offer to the attendees.

1. Political Formation: The chosen topic will enable participants to engage in discussions centered around values and transformation issues. This will equip them with the tools to critically analyze local, national, and international matters, understand the outcomes, and confront the challenges.

2. Collective Appreciation of Positions: Through workshops and discussions, attendees will learn to collectively appreciate different viewpoints, moving away from improvisation, enthusiasm, and individual leadership. This promotes a more structured and thoughtful approach to political action.

3. Expanding the Shura Council’s Proposals: The summer university will aid in expanding the Shura Council’s proposals for the upcoming year. This comes after the second conference, which established the movement’s general vision and strategy.

4. Cooperation with National Experts: The university fosters cooperation with experts and specialists from the national elite. This opportunity allows for evaluating the movement, critiquing its ideas, and presenting proposals and experiences to activists. Bengrina expressed gratitude to all the professors who are collaborating to achieve this goal.

Bengrina also discussed Algeria’s progress and its growing role in the region. The country’s achievements in economic, developmental, and social fields are noteworthy. However, he emphasized the need to rise above vanity and dependency, urging a departure from partisan and non-partisan calculations. Algeria’s pivotal position in the region requires a responsible approach to ensure stability and development.

The statement emphasized the importance of national roles in safeguarding Algeria’s future and maintaining its legal and institutional foundations. He acknowledged the need for reform and the restoration of trust between political parties and the people after previous issues involving corrupt practices.

“The focus of the movement lies in creating national awareness and mobilization to protect Algeria from imminent dangers while also prioritizing development to improve citizens’ lives. Social justice is a central concern, and the movement’s political programs and actions are geared towards addressing citizens’ aspirations,” he said.

To achieve these goals, the movement initiated “The National Initiative to Promote Cohesion and Secure the Future.” This initiative aims to foster joint efforts between political parties, civil society, and national elites to protect the homeland, support state institutions, and fulfill the people’s aspirations. It represents an advanced and unified approach to addressing national responsibilities collectively.

On another level, Mr. Bengrina expressed his optimism about Algeria’s economic dynamism, which he believed would transform the country into an economic power, relying less on oil and hydrocarbon rents. He highlighted the significance of Algeria’s potential accession to the BRICS group, which could lead to a more balanced relationship with the European Union and bolster Algeria’s industrial capabilities.

“We declare our optimism for Algeria’s future economic dynamism and its intention to join the BRICS group, with the belief that this strategic move will contribute significantly to the development of our nation’s economic model. We have firm faith that, with the blessings of God, Algeria will evolve into an economic powerhouse, drawing inspiration from the experiences of the leading countries within the BRICS alliance.

Our determination to fulfill the requirements for BRICS membership presents a unique opportunity to implement efficiency measures that will liberate our economy from over-reliance on oil and hydrocarbon rents. This endeavor includes efforts to elevate non-hydrocarbon exports to surpass $20 billion and diversify our economy, ultimately creating a conducive environment for investment and bolstering support for small and medium enterprises.

Algeria’s prospective membership in BRICS paves the way for us to benefit from distinctive agreements related to the lifting of customs restrictions and non-tariff barriers. By doing so, we aim to rectify the imbalances of previous agreements with the European Union, which have disproportionately favored the European side at the detriment of our own economy.

In light of these developments, we call upon the movement to approach negotiations with the European Union diligently and meticulously. It is crucial that we conduct an in-depth and comprehensive study of the existing agreement to safeguard our interests, promote our domestic industries, and establish a balanced trade relationship between Algeria and the European Union.

We are confident that Algeria’s integration into the BRICS group will be a landmark achievement in our nation’s economic trajectory. By leveraging the experiences of our BRICS partners and addressing the challenges posed by previous agreements, we are poised to chart a course of sustainable growth, prosperity, and mutual benefits for Algeria and the global community,” noted Mr. Bengrina.

Bengrina expressed with great conviction that Algeria has successfully fulfilled numerous conditions of the BRICS group, attributing this achievement to the blessings of God and the unwavering determination of the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune. He emphasized that Algeria’s participation in such strategic arenas marks a pivotal moment in the country’s economic transformations, with far-reaching positive impacts on regional and international relations.

Additionally, he asserted that these advancements will lead to stronger strategic alliances and significantly improve the social and economic landscape for the betterment of the nation. Bengrina stressed that these changes necessitate a united front and emphasized the importance of national cohesion.

He expressed confidence that their national initiative is destined for success with divine assistance and called upon all members of society, including elites and the media, to actively participate in its implementation. To formalize the initiative’s proposals, the partners have chosen the symbolic occasion of the next Mujahid Day for a national symposium, inviting a diverse array of representatives to contribute to the process.

Regarding regional issues, Mr. Bengrina reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to supporting just causes, including those of occupied Palestine and Western Sahara. He called on the European Union to support the right of the Saharawi people to independence and condemned the appointment of a former Zionist leader to the Moroccan embassy as a military attaché.

Mr. Bengrina also expressed satisfaction with the ongoing Iranian-Saudi rapprochement, hoping it would positively impact Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.

We, the Elbinaa El Watani Party, stand firmly in our commitment to respect the sovereignty and unity of states while denouncing any interference in their internal affairs. However, the developments in Sudan have presented a dangerous episode of creative chaos that threatens stability in this vital region. Our stance is clear: we support any efforts aimed at preserving Sudan’s unity, rejecting foreign intervention, and protecting the lives of its people.

Given the seriousness of the Sudanese conflict, we urge all parties involved to cease hostilities immediately and seek a peaceful resolution at the negotiation table. We value and encourage any dialogue initiatives that aim to end the bloodshed and uphold the unity of Sudan.

We also call on the Sudanese parties to be cautious of any attempts to internationalize the crisis and instead pursue political solutions through mediation and compromise to safeguard the state and its institutions.

In light of our concern for Sudan’s well-being and its impact on Algeria, we hope that President Abdelmadjid Tebboune can launch an Algerian-led mediation initiative to aid our brotherly nation.

As a movement, we remain steadfast in our support for just causes, including the issues of occupied Palestine and Western Sahara. We commend Algeria’s initiative for Palestinian reunification and urge the international community to back the Palestinian people’s rightful cause.

In the case of Western Sahara, we call on the European Union to support the Saharawi people’s right to independence and the restoration of their sovereignty after the European Court’s fair treatment in canceling usurpation treaties.

The recent appointment of a former Zionist leader as a military attaché at the Zionist embassy in Morocco is an alarming escalation. This calls for unity within our state’s institutions to protect our sovereignty and the unity of our land and people.

Lastly, we welcome the Iranian-Saudi rapprochement and hope that it will lead to positive outcomes for the brothers in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. We believe that cooperation and peaceful relations among nations can pave the way for development and a secure future for all,” he stressed.

In conclusion, Mr. Abdelkader Bengrina’ speech at the Tipaza Summer University outlined a comprehensive and ambitious vision for Algeria’s future. The call for national cohesion, education reform, and economic transformation, as well as his commitment to just causes and regional stability, reflect the party’s determination to navigate Algeria towards a prosperous and dignified future.