The President of France, Emmanuel Macron has ordered stricter visa measures for Algerian diplomats in response to Algeria’s ongoing refusal to accept the repatriation of its nationals from France, according to a report by Reuters
In a move aimed at escalating pressure on Algiers, Macron directed Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to officially suspend a 2013 bilateral agreement that had allowed Algerian officials and diplomats with official passports to enter France without needing a visa.
The suspension is part of a broader strategy to respond to what Paris views as non-cooperation on deportation policies.
The president also instructed Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to coordinate with fellow Schengen countries, urging them to consult with France before issuing short-term visas to Algerian officials covered under the now-suspended agreement.
Macron explained that the decision was necessitated by mounting concerns over migration and security, and a need to assert France’s position firmly.
“France must be strong and command respect. It can only receive this from its partners if it shows them the respect it demands from them. This basic rule also applies to Algeria,” Macron stated.
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The diplomatic rift between France and Algeria has deepened significantly since July 2024, when France officially recognised Morocco’s sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara region—a stance Algeria opposes due to its support for Sahrawi independence.
Further tensions have arisen from Algeria’s consistent refusal to accept deported nationals under the “OQTF” regime (Obligation de Quitter le Territoire Français), which mandates the expulsion of foreign nationals ordered to leave French territory.
The Minister of Interior, Retailleau has since intensified calls to reassess France’s broader migration and visa arrangements with Algeria.
This development highlights not only the ongoing strains in Franco-Algerian relations but also the broader geopolitical implications surrounding immigration, diplomatic reciprocity, and regional disputes in North Africa.
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