In a significant move toward mending diplomatic rifts, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and French leader Emmanuel Macron held a productive phone conversation on Monday. During the call, both leaders agreed to immediately restart cooperation on security and migration, paving the way for a renewed, equal dialogue between the two nations.
The discussion also emphasized reviving the Joint Commission of Historians, established in 2022 to address sensitive historical issues dating back to the period of French colonial rule. The commission is set to resume its work immediately with concrete proposals expected by this summer, marking a step forward in reconciling long-held grievances.
Bilateral judicial cooperation is also on the agenda, with French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin slated for a visit to Algeria soon. Additionally, both leaders stressed the importance of boosting economic collaboration. Macron reaffirmed France's support for revising the Algeria-EU partnership agreement, a move that reflects Algiers’ longstanding call for a more balanced framework.
The conversation comes as Algeria seeks acknowledgment of crimes committed during 132 years of colonial rule—a historical issue that has fueled calls for justice and reform. On March 23, Algeria's parliament established a commission to draft a law criminalizing that period, a measure hailed as historic by lawmakers, historians, and legal experts alike.
Looking ahead, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot is scheduled to visit Algiers on April 6 to help solidify this progress, with both sides agreeing in principle to hold an in-person meeting in the near future. This cooperative spirit aims not only to resolve past disputes but also to build stronger ties in security, migration, judicial, and economic domains, resonating with a global audience keen on constructive international relations.
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Algeria, France agree to resume security cooperation amid rift
cgtn.com
