This was stated in an embassy statement on Tuesday, as reported by the Algerian “Al-Wassat,” which indicated that this would lead to a reduction in the number of staff working at the embassy and the three consulates in Algiers, Oran, and Annaba starting from September 1st. The embassy statement clarified that this date marks the joining of new employees to various French diplomatic services, meaning that their failure to enter Algeria will result in a shortage of staff at the embassy and consulates.
The statement pointed out that the reduction in staff will negatively affect the ability to approve visas for Algerians wishing to travel to France. The statement also mentioned that priority during this period will be given to French citizens and student visas for traveling to France.
Algeria accused France of breaching its bilateral and international commitments, including the Algerian-French agreements of 1968, 1974, and 2013, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights of 1950. Algeria claims that Paris has unilaterally focused on the 1994 agreement concerning the deportation of Algerians in an irregular situation, distorting its original intentions, leading to the deprivation of Algerian citizens of their acquired rights, including administrative and judicial appeals, and undermining the duty of consular protection.
Earlier this month, Emmanuel Macron directed his government to act “with more firmness and determination” towards Algeria, requesting the suspension of visa exemptions for Algerian official and diplomatic passports.
