French Minister Jean-Noel Barrot went to Algeria on Sunday to fix the bad blood between their countries. He met with President Tebboune right away. After their talk, Barrot told reporters they plan to start working together again in many areas. He shared what Tebboune said about the meeting: "The curtain is lifted." The two nations will share spy info again soon. They have already set up a meeting between top security teams.
Money matters came up during their talks as well. Tebboune wants more trade with France, especially for food, cars, and ships. Both countries agreed to restart their work on migration issues quickly. Barrot said French officials would meet with Algerian consuls to make the paperwork easier for people moving between countries. The two sides started talking about the past again—a touchy subject since France ruled Algeria for 132 years until 1962.
Algeria's lawmakers just last month started making a new law that would make French rule a crime. Barrot asked Algeria to help writer Boualem Sansal, who has been in jail for five years. He said the writer needs help because he's old and sick. Earlier that day, Barrot talked with Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf before bringing in bigger teams from both sides. This visit happened after Tebboune and French President Macron spoke on the phone on March 31.
This marks the first big visit since things turned sour between the two nations. They fell out over many issues - how to handle people moving to France, old hurts from history, and France taking Morocco's side in fights about Western Sahara. The leaders hope these new talks can heal old wounds and build better ties for the future. Both countries have much to gain from working together again after letting their friendship cool off for several years.
Money matters came up during their talks as well. Tebboune wants more trade with France, especially for food, cars, and ships. Both countries agreed to restart their work on migration issues quickly. Barrot said French officials would meet with Algerian consuls to make the paperwork easier for people moving between countries. The two sides started talking about the past again—a touchy subject since France ruled Algeria for 132 years until 1962.
Algeria's lawmakers just last month started making a new law that would make French rule a crime. Barrot asked Algeria to help writer Boualem Sansal, who has been in jail for five years. He said the writer needs help because he's old and sick. Earlier that day, Barrot talked with Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf before bringing in bigger teams from both sides. This visit happened after Tebboune and French President Macron spoke on the phone on March 31.
This marks the first big visit since things turned sour between the two nations. They fell out over many issues - how to handle people moving to France, old hurts from history, and France taking Morocco's side in fights about Western Sahara. The leaders hope these new talks can heal old wounds and build better ties for the future. Both countries have much to gain from working together again after letting their friendship cool off for several years.
