Rejet catégorique d’Alger  – Le Jeune Indépendant

The new measures imposed by the French authorities on Algerian diplomatic representations are the worst posture in the annals of relations between states. These arbitrary measures imposed on Algerian agents for the withdrawal or deposit of the diplomatic suitcase at airports demonstrate how France sinks into gabelia as it crowds the Vienna Convention and diplomatic codes not to mention the bilateral agreements. Through this attitude, the French Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau, author of these discriminatory measures, wants to push relations between Algiers and Paris towards the irreparable. The pure and simple rupture of diplomatic relations between Algeria and France.

According to a well -informed source, Algiers firmly rejected the new procedure proposed by France to supervise the access of its agents accredited to the reserved areas of airports within the framework of the delivery or recovery of the diplomatic suitcase.

This response comes after communication, on August 7, by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs on August 7, of a new device presented as provisional. The latter aims to define new methods for Algerian diplomats in order to access the security areas with regulated access (ZSAR).

For Algiers, this procedure is deemed incompatible with several international and bilateral commitments. The source notably invokes the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, which requires the host State to facilitate the work of diplomatic missions, as well as the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the Algerian-French consular convention of 1974, in particular article 25, which obliges the host State to “grant all facilities” to diplomatic missions, and article 27 paragraph 7, which guarantees the right to send the right to send the right Diplomatic suitcase with the aircraft commander.

It also invokes the Vienna Convention on consular relations, whose article 5 requires the reception states to allow consulates to exercise their functions freely, as well as article 72, devoted to the principle of non-discrimination. Finally, the source recalls that these commitments have been integrated into the 1974 Algerian-French consular convention, including article 13 paragraph 7 takes up a word for the right and free right of the diplomatic suitcase.

Exclusive document of new Paris measures for the diplomatic suitcase

Algeria considers that the new rules imposed by Retailleau maintain obstacles to the proper functioning of its representations in France and constitute, moreover, a discriminatory measure, since they would exclusively target its agents. “An initial decision had already withdrawn from Algerian agents their permanent access badges to the reserved areas. The new procedure does not correct this discrimination, it aggravates it, ”explains the source.

The disputed system provides, among other things, that any agent responsible for sending or recovering the diplomatic suitcase is systematically accompanied by a police escort. He also requires submitting a written request to the Quai d’Orsay at least 48 hours before each operation. For Algiers, these provisions fall under “provocative and unnecessarily vexatory measures” which do not take into account the operational needs of diplomatic and consular missions.

Another point raised: the procedure would only concern the Algerian Embassy in Paris, without approaching the situation of the Algerian consulates spread over French territory, while these are subject to the same restrictions. “Consulates should benefit from the same treatment and the same facilities as the embassy, in order to fulfill their unhindered functions,” insists the source.

Faced with this situation, Algeria has notified its firm and categorical rejection to France that the only way out in accordance with the obligations of Paris would be to restore permanent access securities for its accredited agents. In return, Algiers would undertake to remove the equivalent measures applied under the principle of reciprocity.