France put an end to the diplomatic crisis with the Maghreb countries on Sunday, announcing in Algiers a return to normal in the granting of visas to Algerian nationals, following those of Tunisia at the end of August and Morocco on Friday.
It was the French Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, who put an end to this visa crisis, which began in the fall of 2021, during a trip to Algiers.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Mr. Darmanin announced a return “to a normal consular relationship” with Algeria, effective since “Monday” last (December 12) following a meeting with his counterpart.
In the fall of 2021, France decided to restrict the issuance of visas in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, in order to encourage these countries to make efforts in terms of cooperation and the fight once morest illegal immigration.
The refusal rate had reached 30% for Tunisia, and 50% for Morocco and Algeria. By this visa reduction measure, Paris intended to put pressure on these countries to agree to welcome their nationals expelled from France.
Tunisia was the first country with which Paris restored its consular relationship to pre-Covid levels.
At the French Interior Ministry, it was explained that Tunisia was the first of the three countries to have lifted the health tests required to be able to enter the territory.
The second country was Morocco, and the announcement was made this week during the visit of French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna to Rabat in preparation for a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron.
