ALGIERS, March 7 (Xinhuanet) -- President of the European Parliament Josep Borrell said here on Tuesday that Algeria is Europe's important partner in the combat against terrorism, and the two sides should further expand cooperation in this field.

    In a speech to the Algerian parliament, Borrell said Algeria isalso a victim of terrorism and related violence.

    He stressed that democracy and development will be undermined in a society without peace.

    Borrell praised a national reconciliation plan by the Algerian government, saying that the plan is an important step for the North African country to restore social order.

    In the spirit of a charter for peace and national reconciliation approved in September last year, the Algerian government decided on March 1 to grant amnesty to 2,000 detained Islamic militants.

    Since 1990s, at least 150,000 people have died in frequent attacks by Algerian extremists against soldiers, policemen, government departments and civilians. Enditem