On Thursday, Algeria announced it would end the free provision of goods and services to the French Embassy, a privilege in place since 1962, in response to the French president's decision to revoke visa exemptions for Algerian officials. Diplomatic tensions are flaring once more between Algiers and Paris, following President Emmanuel Macron's decision to suspend visa exemptions for Algerian officials and diplomats. In response, Algeria summoned the French embassy's Chargé d'Affaires in Algiers on Thursday, during which two formal diplomatic notes were handed over, according to a statement from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first note officially notifies France of Algeria's withdrawal from the 2013 Algerian-French agreement, which had granted reciprocal visa exemptions to holders of diplomatic and service passports. «This withdrawal goes beyond the temporary suspension announced by France and marks a definitive end to the agreement», emphasized the Algerian ministry. In retaliation, Algeria will now require visas for French diplomatic and service passport holders. «It also reserves the right to apply the same visa criteria France imposes on Algerian nationals, in strict adherence to the principle of reciprocity», the statement added. End of Free Real Estate for the French Embassy The second note announced Algeria's decision to terminate the free provision of state-owned real estate currently used by the French Embassy in Algiers. The government also plans to review the favorable lease agreements the embassy holds with the OPGI (Office for the Promotion and Management of Real Estate), and has invited French officials to Algiers to begin discussions. The embassy's real estate holdings have long been a point of contention. Before being recalled for consultations, the French ambassador had already been summoned by Algerian authorities in March over the issue. In particular, the 14 hectares occupied by the chancery in Algiers since 1962 were under scrutiny. Algerian media reports in April indicated that France occupies 61 properties across Algeria. Just hours before summoning the French Chargé d'Affaires, Algeria's Foreign Ministry also issued a formal response to a letter from President Macron, addressed on Wednesday to the Bayrou government. In its response, the ministry accused France of failing to uphold commitments made under key bilateral agreements, including the 1968 accord on the movement, employment, and residence of Algerians in France, the 1974 consular convention, and the 2013 visa exemption agreement. «The Algerian state does not yield to pressure, threats, or blackmail, no matter what form they take», the ministry declared. It further emphasized that Algeria had never requested the 2013 visa exemption deal, placing the responsibility squarely back on Paris.
