Algeria Responds to France's Visa Requirement for Diplomatic Passport Holders

On May 19, Algeria reacted to France’s decision to impose a visa requirement on holders of Algerian diplomatic passports. The French action, which has not been officially announced but was leaked to the media, is seen by Algeria as a suspension of the 2013 visa waiver agreement. Algeria condemned the move, pledging to respond with reciprocity, and criticized the French handling of the announcement.

Algeria expressed strong disapproval of France’s decision, accusing the French government of disrespecting diplomatic practices by leaking the information to the media rather than formally notifying Algeria through diplomatic channels. According to the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this action violates the provisions of the 2013 visa waiver agreement between the two countries, specifically Article 8, which requires official notification.

The French decision, revealed by French media outlets like France Info on May 17, was part of an ongoing diplomatic crisis. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot had earlier announced that all Algerian diplomats without visas would be sent back, although he did not explicitly mention imposing visa requirements.

Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly summoned the French chargé d'affaires to clarify the situation, but the French official has been unable to provide answers. Algeria also rejected the French allegation that it had violated the 2013 agreement first, pointing out that France had originally proposed the visa exemption in 1986, and Algeria had only agreed in 2007 after a history of refusals.

Algeria has made it clear that it has no attachment to the 2013 visa agreement and will respond to France’s actions with reciprocity. The Algerian government holds France fully responsible for the breach and insists on enforcing the terms of the agreement strictly. The situation reflects the ongoing strain in diplomatic relations between the two countries.