France, Algeria agree on 'renewed partnership'

World

Published: 2022-08-27 21:27

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 17:11


France, Algeria agree on 'renewed partnership'
France, Algeria agree on 'renewed partnership'

French President Emmanuel Macron ended his "successful" visit to Algeria on Saturday, signing with his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune the "Algeria Declaration for a Renewed Partnership" between the two countries 60 years after the end of the war and Algeria's independence.

During a brief speech in French, after signing the declaration in the honorary hall of Houari Boumediene Airport, Tebboune considered that the visit of his French counterpart "was very successful" and "allowed a rapprochement that would not have been possible without the personality of President Macron."

He also stressed that from now on, the two countries will "be able to work together in many areas outside Algeria and France," explaining that "this merger will allow us to go very far."

The French president left Algeria immediately after signing the "Algeria Declaration", ending a visit that began Thursday, during which he also visited the western city of Oran and allowed the establishment of an "irreversible dynamism" for the development of relations between the two countries.

The "Algeria Declaration for a Renewed Partnership" states the two countries' desire to "open a new era" and adopt a "concrete and constructive approach focusing on future projects and youth."

As for Algeria, Macron's visit has established its central and strategic role in North Africa, knowing that Algeria shares a 1,400-kilometre border with Mali, from which France was forced to withdraw recently, as well as a border stretching hundreds of kilometers with Libya, which has been mired in chaos since the fall of the regime. Muammar Gaddafi.

Algeria's declaration stated that the "new privileged partnership" had become "a demand dictated by the escalation of volatility and the exacerbation of regional and international tensions."

- "Higher Council for Cooperation" -

The text also states that the Declaration "provides a framework for developing a common vision and close coordination approach to address new global challenges (global and regional crises, climate change, biodiversity conservation, digital revolution and health)".

In addition to this declaration, a number of cooperation agreements were concluded, including in particular higher education, health and sports, and were signed by ministers from both countries.

Tebboune referred to the high-level meeting that brought together the leaders of the security services from both sides, including the army, on Friday "for the first time since independence," and joint decisions emerged from it "in the interest of our geopolitical environment."

Paris and Algeria will establish a "higher council for cooperation" at the level of the two presidents in order to "enhance their political consultations" to meet once every two years by deliberating between the two capitals to study "issues of common interest at the regional and international levels."

For his part, the French president considered that the Algiers declaration will allow "to strengthen the convergent relationship through a permanent dialogue on all files."

A deep disagreement erupted between the two countries in the fall over the memory issue of French colonialism (1830-1962).

During Macron's visit, it was decided to establish a joint committee of historians in order to settle differences and confront the past "courageously", in the words of the French president, and "can be installed within the next 15 to 20 days", according to Tebboune, who stated that its work may take a year, subject to extension.

The French occupation of Algeria lasted for 132 years from 1830 until Algeria gained its independence in 1962 after eight years of war.

After months of a diplomatic crisis linked to this painful past, the French and Algerian presidents announced, on the first day of the visit Thursday, a new dynamic in the relationship between the two countries.

- 'A balanced partnership' -

Algeria's announcement also implicitly referred to the issue of visas, which also spoiled bilateral relations in recent months after France halved them for Algerians.

The two countries agreed to fight illegal immigration while facilitating procedures for "dual nationals, artists, businessmen and politicians who strengthen bilateral relations."

Algeria and Paris will also give a "new impetus" to their economic relationship in a "balanced partnership for the benefit of the two countries", especially in the areas of digital technology, renewable energies, rare metals, health, agriculture and tourism.