Algeria – Saba:
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its categorical rejection on Thursday of the contents of French President Emmanuel Macron's letter to the Algerian Prime Minister, which included a "complete absolution" of France's responsibility for the deterioration in bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Algerian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement that it had "carefully studied" the French letter and the accompanying clarifications from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on August 7.
The ministry stated that it had reached a number of decisive conclusions, most notably its rejection of the French proposal that "holds Algeria alone responsible for the crisis," stressing that "official Algerian statements clearly identified the parties responsible for the escalation and responded with measured measures within the framework of reciprocity."
The Algerian Foreign Ministry made explicit accusations against France of violating several bilateral agreements, including the 1968 agreement on freedom of movement and work, the 1974 consular agreement, and the 2013 agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic passports. It also "distorted" the 1994 agreement on the deportation of Algerians from France and violated the provisions of the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights.
In a significant escalation, Algeria officially announced its withdrawal from the agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, affirming that they would henceforth be treated under the same conditions imposed by France on their Algerian counterparts.
Algeria also rejected what it described as France's "unilateral action" to implement the "visa-for-deportation" mechanism, considering it a "flagrant violation" of bilateral agreements and European law. It reiterated its commitment to protecting its citizens residing in France and defending their rights.
Regarding consular relations, the Algerian Foreign Ministry revealed that France had refused to accredit a number of Algerian consular agents, including three consuls general, for more than two years, stressing that Algeria had only responded in kind.
At the end of the statement, Algeria welcomed any efforts to resolve bilateral differences, but announced its intention to raise additional disputes through diplomatic channels, within a framework of equality and mutual respect.
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