Algeria, France restart dialogue after 15-month freeze

A senior French official visited Algiers this week to revive political and security talks, marking the first concrete step in easing tensions triggered by France’s 2024 recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Anne-Marie Descôtes, Secretary-General of the French Foreign Ministry, met Algerian counterparts to discuss cooperation on migration, security, and the economy, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The visit aimed to prepare for an upcoming trip by French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, expected to focus on broader bilateral issues, including politics, trade, culture, and regional cooperation.

Algerian sources indicated that while a symbolic handshake between Presidents Tebboune and Macron had been considered at the G20 summit, Tebboune sent Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb instead.

The quiet nature of Descôtes’ visit signals Algiers’ preference to reserve official high-level engagement for the Interior Minister’s trip.

French officials also highlighted recent diplomatic successes, including the release of French citizens Boualem Sansal and Camilo Castro, as examples of constructive bilateral engagement.

By Aghakazim Guliyev