Algeria and France are "essential" for each other. This was stated by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on July 13 in an interview with the French newspaper L'Opinion, announcing that the two countries were going to jointly carry out a memorial work of "truth".

Placed under the tutelage of the presidents of the two countries, this research will be led by two historians, one from each country. On the French side, Benjamin Stora was chosen. "He is sincere and knows Algeria and its history, from the period of occupation to today," said the Algerian president, adding that his Algerian counterpart would be appointed "within 72 hours".

The two designated personalities "will work directly under our respective supervision. We hope that they will do their work in truth, serenity and calm to resolve these problems which poison our political relations, the business climate and good understanding. L "Algeria is essential for France, and France is essential for Algeria. We must face these painful events to start again on profitable relations with the two countries, in particular on the economic level", estimates Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Relationships sealed by colonial history 

He spoke with Emmanuel Macron about these memory issues during their telephone interview Thursday, the last of a series of exchanges drawing a rapprochement between the two countries with intimate and complicated relationships, the fruit of history, colonization and flows migratory.

The interview took place a few days after France handed over the remains of 24 Algerian combatants killed at the start of French colonization in the 19th century. "The recent surrender of the remains of the combatants who opposed the installation of the colonial army a century and a half ago is a big step," said the Algerian president.

At the beginning of July, Abdelmadjid Tebboune had declared to France 24 to await an apology from France for the colonization of Algeria in order to "calm the climate and make it more serene". The Algerian president also declared in Opinion that his country did not necessarily expect material compensation for the colonial period, but above all "recognition of the French State for its acts" and, possibly, compensation for " French "nuclear tests on Algerian territory.

With AFP 

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