France put an end to the diplomatic crisis with the Maghreb countries on December 18, by announcing in Algiers a return to normal in the granting of visas to Algerian nationals, after those of Tunisia at the end of August and Morocco, on 16.
The French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, put an end to this visa crisis, which began in the fall of 2021, during a trip to Algiers.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Gérald Darmanin announced a return “to a normal consular relationship ” with Algeria, effective since “Monday” last (December 12) following an interview with his counterpart.
In the fall of 2021, France decided to restrict the issuance of visas in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, in order to encourage these countries to make efforts in terms of cooperation and the fight against illegal immigration.
The refusal rate had reached 30% for Tunisia, and 50% for Morocco and Algeria.
By this visa reduction measure, Paris intended to put pressure on these countries to agree to welcome their nationals expelled from France.
Tunisia was the first country with which Paris restored its consular relationship to pre-Covid levels.
At the French Interior Ministry, it was explained that Tunisia was the first of the three countries to have lifted the health tests required to be able to enter the territory.
“Relation forte”
From the outset, it was planned that the mechanism for reducing the number of visas issued by France to nationals of three Maghreb countries could be reviewed according to the “efforts” made.
On December 16, the head of French diplomacy, Catherine Colonna made the trip to Rabat to announce the normalization of consular relations with Morocco.
And as for Algeria, with an application since “last Monday”, December 12.
Catherine Colonna had come to prepare for the planned state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron “
She argued that France wanted “to be in an exemplary partnership relationship with Morocco, an exceptional, fraternal and modern partnership” . She also insisted on the need to adapt to the “legitimate expectations” of Morocco which is evolving and intends to play a major role in the Mediterranean and in Africa.
For his part, Gérald Darmanin argued that his meeting with his Algerian counterpart was “important” because, he said, “it allows France to continue to show its great willingness to cooperate following the exchanges which took place between President (Abdelmadjid) Tebboune and President (Emmanuel) Macron”.
He quoted”cooperation in terms of security, civil security” and more generally “exchanges between the two countries”.
He praised an “extremely strong relationship” between Paris and Algiers.
Paris and Algiers had found a way to a warming of their relations on the occasion of a trip by President Macron last August. The two heads of state then signed with great fanfare a joint declaration on a relaunch of their cooperation.
In October, it was French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, accompanied by around fifteen ministers, who went to Algiers to seal the reconciliation between the two countries.
