New step in the scramble between Paris and Algiers, who wants to pass France to the cashier. A reaction to the decision of Emmanuel Macron who asked for more firmness. Passport holders Algerian diplomatic will now have to obtain visas.
Algiers’ response was not long in coming. The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites Paris to dispatch a delegation to Algiers to start discussions on the issue of rents.
Because, until now, the buildings of French diplomatic representation are loaned by Algiers on very advantageous conditions. For example, the rent of the Villa des Oliviers, perched on the heights of the capital and which serves as an official residence for the French ambassador to Algeria, is a symbolic franc. An amount that has not moved since 1962, recall the Algerian authorities.
This place is steeped in history: General de Gaulle had made it Provisional headquarters of free France By installing its districts in 1943.
But this does not only concern the embassy buildings, but also a sixty goods that constitute the French real estate heritage in Algeria. These include institutes and consulates. In principle, their status was settled by article 19 of the Evian agreements, signed in March 1962, paving the way for independence. This clause provided for the maintenance of French property for buildings deemed necessary for the normal functioning of services, with the agreement of the new state.
Now, in his showdown with Paris, Algiers wants to establish a Principle of reciprocity. Algeria recalls that its diplomatic representation in France has no advantage and pays for its various rents at the market price.
