فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Algerian-French relations have taken a new turn with the Algerian authorities demanding that 12 employees of the French embassy leave Algerian territory within 48 hours.
This decision was announced by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in an official statement on Monday. He explained that the expulsion was a response to the arrest of three Algerians in France, including an Algerian consular employee.
Barrot expressed regret over the move, emphasizing that the expulsion decision was not related to the ongoing legal proceedings in France, and urged Algerian authorities to reconsider this step. He further stated that France would have no choice but to respond immediately if this decision continued to be enforced.
This new tension in relations between the two countries comes at a sensitive time, as Algeria had previously voiced strong objections to a French court’s decision to charge one of its consular employees and place him in pre-trial detention. According to sources, French authorities had charged three individuals, including an employee of the Algerian consulate in France, over suspicions of involvement in the kidnapping of an Algerian opposition activist in late April 2024 on French soil.
In an official statement, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly rejected the justifications provided by the French public prosecutor for the decision to detain the consular employee. Algeria demanded the immediate release of the employee and called for the respect of his diplomatic immunity and rights. The statement warned that this escalation would significantly impact bilateral relations between Algeria and France, and that Algeria would not allow the situation to pass without an appropriate response.
It is worth noting that the relationship between Algeria and France had been tense for an extended period before signs of a thaw emerged at the end of March, following a phone call between Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Emmanuel Macron. The call led to the announcement of a return to bilateral cooperation in the areas of security and migration. The French Foreign Minister later visited Algeria, where he held discussions with his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Attaf, during which they exchanged views on various issues.
These developments highlight the ongoing challenges in the relationship between the two countries, despite efforts to strengthen cooperation in some areas.
Source: Fes News Media
