High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini paid Monday a visit to Algeria as part of the holding of the second Algeria-EU High-Level Dialogue on Regional Security and Counterterrorism. The visit contributed to deepening joint EU-Algerian work in the face of regional challenges, especially with regard to countering terrorism and extremism. Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel and Mogherini will co-chair the work of the Dialogue launched in October 2017 in Brussels. The two sides discussed terrorist threats and their connections to cross-border organized crime and means of deepening their cooperation in this area. They exchanged views on recent developments as well as regional and international issues of common interest. Mogherini is also scheduled to meet Algerian PM Ahmed Ouyahia as two parties will discuss bilateral partnership to deepen cooperation in various fields, diversify the economy, migration, and transportation, according to a statement issued by the European executive body. The visit of the EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy official in the unified bloc comes within the framework of a European approach to increase cooperation with Arab States, including Algeria, in the field of combating terrorism, EU diplomatic sources in Brussels told Asharq Al-Awsat. This approach follows the meeting among EU interior ministers in Luxembourg on June 5 in which they approved security cooperation between the European Police Office (Europol) and eight Arab and Islamic countries as well as Israel. The same source pointed out that the EU Commission welcomed the decision of the Council of Ministers of the Interior. Back then, European Commissioner for the Security Union Julian King called for granting the Europol tools and resources to protect Europeans, including sharing “basic information with our neighbors.” The European official said that the agreement concludes with the G8, it would provide a legal basis for the exchange of personal data between the European police and the competent authorities of those countries to prevent and combat terrorism and serious organized crime. On the sidelines of the meeting, the ministers approved eight amendments allowing the European Commission to conduct negotiations with eight countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, and Israel. According to a statement by the Europol, talks will address the means of enhancing cooperation in the exchange of information and personal data of individuals.