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Algeria Responds to Accusations Regarding Debts to French Hospitals: The Truth in Numbers

Algerian-French relations are experiencing a new wave of tensions, this time fueled by controversy over Algeria’s alleged debts to French hospitals.

While French media claim a debt of 45 million euros for the year 2023, Algiers counters with specific figures and denounces what it considers to be a biased media campaign.

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A Disputed Debt with Clear Numbers

In a statement released by the Algerian Press Agency (APS), Algeria strongly rejects the accusations of unpaid debts. According to official data, the country transferred about 93.7 million euros to French hospitals between 2010 and 2019. Between 2020 and 2024, an additional 23.2 million euros were paid to cover medical bills for its citizens.

“Algeria always pays its debts when they are justified,” the statement emphasizes, also denouncing abusive practices by French hospitals. Algiers claims that some non-Algerian patients were mistakenly included in accounts attributed to Algeria, thus skewing the figures.

Demand for Transparency from the Joint Commission

To clarify the situation, Algiers insists on convening a meeting of the joint commission, which has been requested for several months. This body would allow for a detailed examination of the cases and validation of the actual amounts owed. To date, 2.5 million euros for hospitalizations between 2018 and 2024 remain pending validation, according to APS.

Moreover, Algeria notes that transfers of patients to French hospitals have ceased. “Algeria no longer sends its citizens to French hospitals,” the statement clarifies, marking a break from an old practice.

Accusations Deemed Biased

Algiers accuses some French media of spreading “inaccurate and biased” information in what it sees as an attempt to discredit the country.

Algeria defends its financial record, emphasizing that it has always honored its commitments: “Algeria is not an indebted country, and it has always paid its bills promptly.”

Towards Necessary Clarification

To put an end to these accusations, Algeria stresses the need to collaborate with France to clarify the accounts and prevent future misunderstandings.

This issue reflects the underlying tensions between the two countries, exacerbated by historical and political disagreements.

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