The French government has given Algeria a deadline of one to six weeks to cooperate in accepting its nationals whom Paris seeks to deport, warning that failure to reach a clear resolution on this sensitive issue could lead to the cancellation of bilateral agreements between the two countries.
French Prime Minister François Bayrou stated during a press conference on Wednesday, following a ministerial meeting on immigration policies: "We cannot allow this situation to continue, where individuals who should return to their home country are repeatedly refused re-entry." He stressed that while France remains committed to its bilateral agreements, it will not hesitate to reassess them if Algeria fails to comply.
Tensions between France and Algeria have been escalating in recent months, particularly as Algiers has repeatedly refused to accept some of its nationals deported from France. Paris sees this as a major obstacle to implementing its immigration policies. Algeria is home to one of the largest diasporas in France, making immigration a highly sensitive and complex issue between the two nations.
As part of this deadline, France plans to present an "urgent list" to the Algerian government, naming individuals whom Paris believes should be repatriated. Bayrou clarified that France will await Algeria’s response before making any further decisions regarding the future of their bilateral agreements.
This move follows a recent "terrorist" attack in the city of Mulhouse, where an undocumented Algerian national is accused of killing one person and injuring seven others. The incident has intensified pressure on the French government to enforce stricter measures against illegal immigration. Bayrou described the attack as further evidence of the urgent need for stricter deportation laws.
In an effort to pressure Algeria, Bayrou has also ordered an "interministerial audit" on visa issuance policies for Algerian citizens, which could lead to new restrictions if Algeria continues to resist cooperation on deportations.
Despite these mounting tensions, the French prime minister insisted that France is not seeking escalation with Algeria, but at the same time, it will not compromise on implementing its immigration policies. "We want practical solutions and serious cooperation, not just unfulfilled promises," he said.
