Algeria Dismisses French Resolution on 1968 Agreement as Internal Political Maneuvering
A resolution adopted by the French National Assembly denouncing a 1968 agreement with Algeria is, for now, an internal French matter, according to Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. The move, largely symbolic, has nonetheless drawn criticism from Algiers, with one official lamenting that France is allowing its relationship with Algeria to become fodder for domestic political competition.
The resolution, passed on Thursday, aims to “denounce” the Franco-Algerian agreement of 1968. This agreement established a preferential immigration regime for Algerians, granting them easier access to visas and residency permits in France – a point of contention for some French political factions. The vote passed by a single vote, relying on support from right-wing parties including the National Rally (RN), LR, and Horizons.
“It’s saddening to see a country as big as France make the history of another country, independent, sovereign, the subject of anticipated electoral competition in France,” Attaf stated in an interview with Algerian news channel AL24 on Sunday. He characterized the situation as a “Franco-French” affair, emphasizing that it doesn’t currently require a response from the Algerian government.
However, Attaf cautioned that the situation could escalate if the French government takes action based on the resolution. “It could concern us if it becomes a government-to-government affair because the 68 agreement is an intergovernmental agreement,” he explained. “It’s an international agreement and the French government hasn’t told us anything about it and so basically, we’re not reacting.”
The Algerian Foreign Minister expressed a degree of cynicism regarding the motivations behind the resolution, stating, “Very sincerely, I have a lot of respect for the French National Assembly, but when I saw this vote (…), the first thought that came to my mind (is) ‘the race for the shallot continues.’” This remark suggests a belief that the resolution is driven by political posturing rather than genuine concern over the agreement itself.
The 1968 agreement was signed six years after the end of the brutal Algerian War (1954-1962), a conflict that left deep scars on both nations. It facilitated immigration from Algeria to France, addressing labor shortages in post-war France and providing opportunities for Algerians. The agreement remains in effect today, allowing Algerians to stay in France for more than three months without a specific visa and expediting the process for obtaining residency permits, including those related to family reunification.
This latest dispute occurs against a backdrop of already strained relations between Paris and Algiers. The two countries have been embroiled in a diplomatic crisis for over a year, triggered by France’s recognition in the summer of 2024 of a Moroccan autonomy plan for Western Sahara – a territory claimed by Algeria’s ally, the Polisario Front. The current situation surrounding the 1968 agreement adds another layer of complexity to an already fragile diplomatic landscape.
