“It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and the delegation accompanying you. » Speaking to Emmanuel Macron, the Algerian head of state, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, did not hide his satisfaction at the presidential palace of El Mouradia in Algiers, Thursday August 25, a few hours after welcoming his French counterpart on his descent from plane, as well as the imposing delegation which traveled for a three-day visit to the country.
After some two and a half hours of private conversation, the two leaders insisted, during a “communication to journalists” framed by a strict protocol and without any questions being asked, to display their agreement: “in a perfect franchise and within the framework of an exceptional global partnership”, welcomed Abdelmadjid Tebboune, not stingy with superlatives.
If Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Algeria is not officially a state visit, the political density of the very large French delegation this time lives up to Algerian expectations after several months of diplomatic quarrels. Alongside Emmanuel Macron were the ministers of the economy Bruno Lemaire, of the interior and overseas Gérald Darmanin, of Europe and foreign affairs Catherine Colonna, of culture Rima Abdul-Malak, of the armies Sébastien Lecornu, as well as the Chief of Defense Staff Thierry Burkhard and no less than fifty guests.
“The French took into account the fact that the Algerians are sensitive to the quality of an official delegation”, analyzes an Algerian source, recalling that in April 2021, former Prime Minister Jean Castex had given up going to Algiers, officially due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The French delegation, which was then to number only a few members, had in fact particularly irritated Algiers.
Soothe traditional irritants
This will not be the case on this three-day visit. The prestigious French “casting” even contrasts with the elements of Elysian language having depicted in recent days a less formal and resolutely turned towards the future. In particular, a meeting with young start-ups is planned on Friday, or to attend a “break dance demonstration followed by discussions with players from the sports world” in Oran, Saturday.
We are far from the communication of the former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, who came to Algiers in July to seal the increase in the supply of gas to his country by Algeria while Europe is in search of alternatives to fuel Russian. Gas, it will however be discussed during this French visit, as evidenced by the presence among the delegation of the boss of the Engie group, Catherine MacGregor.
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