Algeria and France decide to restart security collaboration despite ongoing division
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation on Monday, during which they agreed to immediately reinstate security and migration cooperation between their nations. The discussion was...
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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and French President Emmanuel Macron held a phone conversation on Monday, during which they agreed to immediately reinstate security and migration cooperation between their nations.
The discussion was described as "open and cordial," focusing on the bilateral relationship and the tensions that have arisen in recent months, with both leaders expressing a desire to renew the productive dialogue that was initiated in August 2022, according to a statement from the Algerian Presidency on Facebook.
They recognized the importance of resuming an equal dialogue between the two countries and emphasized "the immediate resumption of cooperation on migration in a credible, smooth and effective manner," according to the statement.
Additionally, it noted, "The Joint Commission of Historians will resume its work immediately and will meet soon in France," with expectations for the outputs and concrete proposals to be delivered by this summer.
Created in 2022 to address "the memory issue," the joint commission aims to resolve matters stemming from French colonial rule, which began in 1830, prior to Algeria achieving independence in 1962 after an eight-year war.
The resumption of bilateral judicial cooperation was also discussed, with French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin anticipated to visit Algeria shortly, as highlighted in the statement.
Both leaders underscored the significance of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation in future sectors, with Macron reiterating France's commitment to revising the Algeria-EU partnership agreement, which Algeria has long criticized as favoring European interests.
Macron took the opportunity to urge Tebboune "to grant pardon" to Boualem Sansal, an 80-year-old jailed French-Algerian writer serving a five-year sentence for "undermining national unity," citing concerns about his age and health.
According to the statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is set to visit Algiers on April 6 to further advance these discussions, and both presidents tentatively agreed to arrange an in-person meeting soon.
The phone conversation took place against a backdrop of deepening diplomatic tensions between Algiers and Paris over issues such as immigration, historical disputes, and France's support for Morocco in the Western Sahara conflict.
Algeria has called on the French government to acknowledge the crimes committed during the 132 years of colonial rule, viewing this recognition as a necessary step for both countries to move past historical grievances and cultivate stable, constructive relations.
On March 23, Algeria's parliament formed a commission tasked with drafting legislation to criminalize French colonial rule, a move deemed "historical" and supported by local lawmakers, historians, and legal experts.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
The discussion was described as "open and cordial," focusing on the bilateral relationship and the tensions that have arisen in recent months, with both leaders expressing a desire to renew the productive dialogue that was initiated in August 2022, according to a statement from the Algerian Presidency on Facebook.
They recognized the importance of resuming an equal dialogue between the two countries and emphasized "the immediate resumption of cooperation on migration in a credible, smooth and effective manner," according to the statement.
Additionally, it noted, "The Joint Commission of Historians will resume its work immediately and will meet soon in France," with expectations for the outputs and concrete proposals to be delivered by this summer.
Created in 2022 to address "the memory issue," the joint commission aims to resolve matters stemming from French colonial rule, which began in 1830, prior to Algeria achieving independence in 1962 after an eight-year war.
The resumption of bilateral judicial cooperation was also discussed, with French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin anticipated to visit Algeria shortly, as highlighted in the statement.
Both leaders underscored the significance of enhancing bilateral economic cooperation in future sectors, with Macron reiterating France's commitment to revising the Algeria-EU partnership agreement, which Algeria has long criticized as favoring European interests.
Macron took the opportunity to urge Tebboune "to grant pardon" to Boualem Sansal, an 80-year-old jailed French-Algerian writer serving a five-year sentence for "undermining national unity," citing concerns about his age and health.
According to the statement, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is set to visit Algiers on April 6 to further advance these discussions, and both presidents tentatively agreed to arrange an in-person meeting soon.
The phone conversation took place against a backdrop of deepening diplomatic tensions between Algiers and Paris over issues such as immigration, historical disputes, and France's support for Morocco in the Western Sahara conflict.
Algeria has called on the French government to acknowledge the crimes committed during the 132 years of colonial rule, viewing this recognition as a necessary step for both countries to move past historical grievances and cultivate stable, constructive relations.
On March 23, Algeria's parliament formed a commission tasked with drafting legislation to criminalize French colonial rule, a move deemed "historical" and supported by local lawmakers, historians, and legal experts.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
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