Visiting Algeria, Jean-Yves Le Drian calls for a "peaceful relationship"
Jean-Yves Le Drian called Wednesday for a “peaceful relationship” between France and Algeria (image of illustration) © AP Photo / Thanassis Stavrakis
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The head of French diplomacy Jean-Yves Le Drian called Wednesday December 8 for a "
peaceful relationship
" between France and Algeria where he paid a visit intended to defuse a bilateral crisis of rare gravity.
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"
I hope that our two countries will resume together the path of a peaceful relationship and be able to look to the future,
" the French Minister of Foreign Affairs told the press after meeting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
"
We hope that the dialogue that we are relaunching today will lead to a resumption of political exchanges between our two governments in 2022, beyond the wounds of the past that we must face in the face, beyond the misunderstandings we have come back to us. to overtake,
”he added.
He also affirmed that Algeria was "
an essential partner for France on the bilateral level, but also on the regional level
". “
France and Algeria together face major challenges in an uncertain regional and international environment. We must be able to offer operational responses to the challenges posed by terrorism in the Sahel region, but also illegal emigration as well as economic development issues,
”he said.
"
On all these subjects and because our interests are common, our consultation is essential and that was the meaning of my presence today in Algiers
", continued the French Minister.
The Algerian authorities have not commented on the content of the talks with Jean-Yves Le Drian, who also met his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra.
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See also Algeria prohibits its airspace to French military planes
Diplomatic quarrel
Two months after the diplomatic quarrel caused by President Macron's remarks on the “
memorial rent
” of the “
Algerian politico-military system
” and which resulted in the recall of the Algerian ambassador to Paris and the closure of Algerian space to French planes, this visit by the head of French diplomacy is one more step towards the normalization of Franco-Algerian relations
“
This trip has the dual objective of renewing a relationship of trust between our two countries.
A relationship marked by respect for each other's sovereignty.
But also to look to the future to work on relaunching and deepening our partnership, which is essential,
”Jean-Yves Le Drian said after the talks.
The visit of the French Minister of Foreign Affairs is part of a more positive context conducive to a revival between the two countries.
The Algerian President was personally invited by President Macron to attend the Peace Forum and his Foreign Minister who was dispatched to Paris.
A rather positive indicator from Algiers.
I think we will gradually see a return to normal.
Hasni Abidi, Director of the Center for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World in Geneva
Claire Fages
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Algeria
Jean-Yves Le Drian
Abdelmadjid Tebboune
France
Diplomacy