Macron Calls for a "Calm" Relationship with Algeria, Considering That Many Issues Need "Correction"

SadaNews - French President Emmanuel Macron called for a "calm" relationship with Algeria, while considering that "many issues" still need "correction" in the relations between the two countries.

Macron said at a press conference during the G20 summit in Johannesburg, "I want to build a calm relationship for the future, but we have to correct many things, and we know that on many issues, such as security, migration, and the economy, we are not in a satisfactory position, so we want results."

Relations between the two countries, already strained due to the Western Sahara dispute, have worsened following a series of sharp remarks towards Algeria made by former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau this year.

However, Retailleau's departure from the government and the pardon granted by Algeria to Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal may open the door to improving relations after months of stagnation, particularly marked by a complete halt in cooperation on migration issues.

Emmanuel Macron stated that "the release of Boualem Sansal is an initial outcome that should be welcomed."

The French president was expected to hold a meeting with his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the sidelines of the G20 summit, following the pardon issued by the latter last week for the Franco-Algerian writer. However, Tebboune ultimately did not travel to Johannesburg.

The French president added in this regard, "A meeting will be held when we finish preparing it to achieve results."

He considered that he has made "progress" in relations over the past few years "in the same manner: respect and high standards."

Macron denounced that "many want to make Algeria an internal political issue for France. And in Algeria, many want to make the relationship with France an internal political issue for Algeria."