Rabat – President Emmanuel Macron extended a dialogue invitation to the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The invitation comes amid brawling tensions between the two countries.
“I insist that France be respected and that it conducts a serious, calm, and demanding dialogue,” Macron said.
Macron hopes to meet Tebboune and discuss the Paris-Algiers tensions on the sidelines of the G20 summit that will take place in South Africa in the coming days.
For Macron, the Elysee is ready to put an end to the tensions with Algeria.
“If these conditions are met and we can achieve results, I am obviously available for any exchange at any level,” the French president said.
He acknowledged that French diplomatic teams are working on a potential meeting.
Algeria has been vocal about France’s decisions, including its endorsement of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the only political pathway to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Algeria’s regime has been lobbying to convince France to reverse its decision. At the diplomatic level, Algeria has long refused to receive back its nationals subject to deportation orders from France.
The situation created diplomatic tensions, with the two countries deciding to impose restrictions on diplomats.
In October, the French National Assembly voted to end the 1968 French-Algerian agreement that grants Algerian citizens easier access to residence and work permits in France.
The far-right National Rally proposed this motion.
French officials have long been critical of the Algerian government due to its reluctance to receive back its nationals subjected to deportation.
Many officials have been calling on France to take more serious measures against Algeria, accusing it of disrespecting French sovereignty.
Macron now wishes that the two countries “move forward so that we are more effective on major economic, security and migration issues, in order to work together and for each of us to defend our roles.”
Macron’s remarks came after Algeria decided to grant pardon to French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal under international pressure.
The author was arrested last year in Algeria for his remarks in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity.
Speaking on the release and his meeting with Sansal, Macron said: “It was a joy to welcome Mr. Boualem Sansal and his wife to the Elysee. They were moved, happy to return to France, and in good shape. I want to express to them the nation’s deep affection,” he said.
