Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently engaged in discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron regarding his anticipated visit to France.
The Algerian Presidency, in a statement, revealed that the two leaders exchanged New Year greetings and delved into details of President Tebboune’s forthcoming visit to France, as well as the status of bilateral relations between the two countries.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf had previously clarified that the official visit was still under preparation.
The visit hinges on resolving five key issues: the memory question, mobility, economic cooperation, French nuclear tests in the Algerian desert, and the return of symbolic items belonging to Emir Abdelkader, the founder of modern Algeria.
Relations between Algeria and France experienced tensions following Macron’s October 2021 remarks questioning the existence of an Algerian nation before French colonization. Additionally, the tension escalated with the French intelligence’s evacuation of Algerian activist Amira Bouraoui from Tunisia to France in early 2023.
President Tebboune announced in August that his official visit to France remains scheduled but depends on the program set by the Élysée Palace. He emphasized that a state visit requires specific requirements and is not merely a touristic trip.
Macron, on his part, visited Algeria in August 2022, aiming to mend the strained relations with a country whose oil and gas reserves have gained new strategic significance in light of the looming energy crisis in Europe, as reported by the German News Agency.
Furthermore, President Tebboune had a phone call with his Tunisian counterpart, President Kais Saied. They discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance it across various fields, along with regional and international issues of mutual interest.
In a New Year’s address to the Algerian people, President Tebboune stated that 2024 would be a year filled with achievements marking significant strides towards Algeria’s progression among advanced countries.
He recalled the achievements of 2023, praising the nation’s exceptional steps in development and progress across various sectors.
