Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf described as a 'franco-French' matter on Sunday the National Assembly's adoption of a resolution to denounce the 1968 migration agreement. The non-binding text, proposed by the National Rally, was narrowly approved on Thursday with support from right-wing deputies. Algiers hopes it will not lead to government action.
On Thursday, the French National Assembly adopted a resolution proposed by the National Rally (RN, far-right) to 'denounce' the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement. This symbolic and non-binding text passed by a one-vote majority, thanks to support from deputies of the Republicans (LR) and Horizons parties.
On Sunday, November 2, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf responded in an interview with AL24 channel. 'It is distressing to see a great country like France turn the history of another independent, sovereign country into the object of an anticipated electoral competition in France,' he stated. He added: 'Very sincerely, I have a lot of respect for the French National Assembly, but when I saw this vote (...), the first thought that came to my mind was "the race is still on."'
For Algiers, the matter remains internal to France for now. 'On the substance, this is an affair between the French National Assembly and the French government. It is an internal affair, a franco-French affair. It does not concern us at the moment,' emphasized Mr. Attaf. He warned, however, that it could change if the French government gets involved, as the 1968 agreement is intergovernmental. 'We saw nothing coming and we hope to see nothing coming,' he concluded.
Signed six years after the Algerian War (1954-1962), this agreement establishes a favorable immigration regime for Algerians: they do not need a specific visa to stay more than three months in France and gain faster access to ten-year residence permits, including for family reunification. The resolution comes amid a diplomatic crisis between Paris and Algiers lasting over a year, following France's recognition in summer 2024 of a Moroccan 'sovereignty' autonomy plan for Western Sahara.