French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin went to Algiers on Sunday, where he was received by the Algerian president, to discuss in particular “the fight against organized crime”, “migration” or the “consequences of the crisis ” in the Middle East, AFP learned from those around him.
During this visit of a few hours, made “at the request” of President Macron, Gérald Darmanin was received in particular by Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the President of the Algerian Republic, and Brahim Merad, Algerian Minister of the Interior, specified the entourage of the minister.
Discussions “on the consequences of the crisis affecting the Middle East”
This visit comes on the eve of the start of the examination in the Senate of the immigration bill, carried by Gérald Darmanin. “In continuation of his previous trips to Algiers”, the subjects of “operational cooperation” were discussed, added Gérald Darmanin’s entourage, in particular the “fight against organized crime”, “migration”, “mobility ” and “civil security”.
Discussions also took place “on the consequences of the crisis affecting the Middle East”, said the entourage, without giving further details. The minister had already visited Algiers in December 2022. He announced a return to normal in the granting of visas to Algerian nationals.
France decided in the fall of 2021 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 against illegal immigration.