This came in a statement by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs following French media reports that Paris had imposed visa requirements on Algerian officials holding diplomatic passports. Algeria considered these measures a violation of diplomatic norms and a breach of the passport exemption agreement, noting that French decisions were being leaked to "selected" media outlets rather than being officially announced.
She added that Paris had not officially informed her of any suspension of the agreement, which violates Article 8 of the agreement signed between the two sides. She noted that France's actions "reflect a desire to freeze the agreement without incurring legal consequences."
The Algerian Foreign Ministry rejected what it considered "French allegations" that Algeria was the party that violated the agreement, asserting that it had no vested interest in the exemption. However, it agreed to expand it in 2013 to include important passports. It considered the effective suspension of the agreement, without formal procedures, a unilateral move by France.
Tensions between the two countries have been escalating for months, most recently when Algeria summoned the French chargé d'affaires in May and demanded the deportation of 15 employees who had been "illegally" appointed. Algeria also expelled 12 French employees in April in response to the arrest of an Algerian diplomat in Paris in the case of opposition figure Amir Dzad.
The French side had not responded to Algeria's statement by Monday evening, despite attempts to de-escalate the situation through a phone call between Presidents Tebboune and Macron in March, followed by a visit by the French Foreign Minister to Algeria and the announcement of the resumption of dialogue mechanisms.
However, historical differences and political tensions, particularly regarding the Western Sahara issue, continued to hinder the return of stability to bilateral relations.
