Algeria: Macron responds to controversy over France’s visa policy

In an interview given to the Algerian media outlet TSA on the 15th of July, the French Ambassador to Algeria Stephane Romatet announced his intention to come back to the original number of visas delivered to Algerian nationals, approximately 250,000 per year.

The last two years have been marked by significant diplomatic and economic clashes between Algeria and France, leading to a decline in visa issuance. However, recent diplomatic rapprochement has created favourable conditions for bilateral agreements and improved relations. 

“It is true that, over the past few months, we have faced some difficulties. There were fewer staff members handling visa applications, and it also became much harder for Algerians to secure an appointment,” said Stephane Romatet, before further adding that “Before the crisis, around 250,000 visas were issued each year…It is true that, because of the difficulties I have just mentioned, that number declined. Our objective is to ensure that the number of visas we issue to Algerian citizens who have legitimate reasons to travel to France starts increasing again and eventually returns to its pre-crisis level.”

These statements given to the Algerian media sparked controversy in French right and far-right parties. Leader of the far-right party Rassemblement National, Marine Le Pen, reacted by saying that “The complete opening of the migration floodgates by an exhausted Macronist government is not an option for France.” Other right-wing figures, such as Bruno Retailleau, added that this represented a ‘capitulation’ by France to Algiers.

Emmanuel Macron reacted to the controversy on the 22nd of July by stating at a cabinet meeting that “There is no set target for the number of visas issued, and France is not being lax in its approach.”

The French government Spokesperson Maud Bregeon further added that “From the moment he was elected in 2017, Mr Macron made the decision to reduce these figures so that they would better reflect France’s needs on the one hand, and geopolitical realities on the other,” recalling that around 500,000 visas were being issued each year at the time.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who hosted his counterpart in Paris last June, added during the Council of Ministers’ press briefing, “I took part in discussions with Algeria. This issue was never raised.”

Le Monde, TSA, Le Figaro, Maghrebi.org