The French president met with his Algerian counterpart to try to warm up relations between the two countries on Tuesday.
Emmanuel Macron wished on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, while speaking with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, that the work of memory undertaken between Paris and Algiers “to continue in a spirit of appeasement”, indicated the Elysee.
During this telephone interview, the French Head of State “returned with Mr. Tebboune to the work of memory, which must continue in a spirit of appeasement for the reconciliation between the French and Algerian peoples and, in particular, between the youths of the two countries ”, specified the presidency.
Relationships that are struggling to warm up
First French president born after the Algerian war (1954-1962), Emmanuel Macron undertook a series of “symbolic acts” and unilateral to try to “reconcile memories” between the two shores of the Mediterranean, at the approach of the 60th anniversary of independence.
Relations between the two countries are struggling to warm up on a lasting basis while Algeria again demanded on Saturday, on the occasion of its first “Day of Remembrance”, the “repentance” of Paris for its crimes during colonization.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune reaffirmed that day that “excellent relations with the French Republic cannot exist outside of History and the processing of memory files, which cannot be the subject of any waiver”.
At the beginning of April, a visit by Prime Minister Jean Castex was postponed indefinitely at the request of the Algerian party, angry among other things by the small size of the French ministerial delegation which was to participate in a high-level intergovernmental committee (CIHN).
Joint action in Libya and the Sahel
“The meeting was an opportunity to examine bilateral relations and to agree to update the meeting of the high-level intergovernmental committee,” said a brief statement from the Algerian presidency.
This press release, published by the official APS agency, which refers to an “exchange of views” on regional issues, Sahel and Libya, makes no mention of the memorial file.
At the end of April, Emmanuel Macron estimated, in an interview with Le Figaro, that the desire for reconciliation was “very widely shared” despite “some resistance” in Algeria.
During their meeting, Emmanuel Macron and Abdelmadjid Tebboune agreed to continue their joint action in favor of stability and security, particularly in the Sahel and Libya”, indicated presidency. They also “expressed their willingness to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields”.
