De Villepin defends dialogue with Algeria
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Leprovincial
Dominique de Villepin rejected a confrontation strategy with Algeria and called for dialogue between Paris and Algiers to resume. The former French prime minister also criticised calls to unilaterally denounce the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement during a televised debate reported by Le Provincial.
Former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin called for dialogue with Algeria to resume and criticised the hard-line strategy advocated by part of the right and far right. Appearing on the programme “Face à BFM” on BFMTV, he said that a confrontation risked worsening tensions between Paris and Algiers, according to Leprovincial.
Facing Marion Maréchal, Dominique de Villepin denounced a “diplomacy of escalation” and described the situation between the two capitals as “unacceptable”. He opposed unilaterally denouncing the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement, which notably governs the residence and employment of Algerian nationals in France.
The former head of government also challenged the pressure strategy advocated by several right-wing figures, including Bruno Retailleau. He believes that diplomatic and legal disputes should be addressed through negotiations between the two states, rather than through a succession of coercive measures, according to Leprovincial.
The statement comes as Franco-Algerian relations remain marked by persistent diplomatic disagreements. It follows the revisions to economic relations between Algeria and France, mentioned on 21 September, and the meeting between Algerian Minister Ahmed Attaf and his Zimbabwean counterpart in New York on 23 September, according to headlines published by Leprovincial.
