welcomed with honours, the president meets with Abdelmadjid Tebboune

In Algiers, Emmanuel Macron’s three-day visit has begun. The president comes to revive bilateral ties, which have sometimes been strained in recent months with Algeria around the issue of visas in particular. The Head of State arrived in the middle of the afternoon: Emmanuel Macron’s plane landed on Algerian soil at 3:30 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. Paris time. The tenant of the Élysée was welcomed on the tarmac of Algiers – Houari-Boumédiène airport to the sound of the military band, and with the honors: the army, the air force and the Algerian navy were present. Three united units and a military band in front of a large red carpet.

Calm tensions down

It was at the foot of the footbridge that Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Algerian president, came to welcome him. A first handshake turned towards the photographers’ lenses, followed by a second under an arbor set up to listen to the national anthems. The two presidents, accompanied by their ministers, seven on the French side, then joined the airport’s VIP lounge for an initial meeting.

Emmanuel Macron first went to a tribute ceremony at the Martyr’s Memorial, a monument erected in memory of the independence fighters who died during the Algerian war. The French president was then expected at the presidential palace, the El-Mouradia palace, for a face-to-face meeting with Abdelmadjid Tebboune. It started around 6:30 p.m. An interview that should last a little over an hour and a half, according to the official program.

There are indeed many topics for discussion. Algiers is demanding more visas for its nationals when Paris wants this country to facilitate the return to its territory of its citizens in an irregular situation in France. Another issue, and not the least important, is the energy crisis, a consequence of the war in Ukraine and European sanctions against Russia. Algeria is one of the world’s top ten gas producers, but no contract should be signed during this trip.

Joint statement expected in the evening

This visit is mainly aimed at calming the relationship between the two countries. Emmanuel Macron had hit the Algerian authorities last year by criticizing a politico-military system built in his eyes on a memory rent. The French president could well increase the signs of appeasement, such as his visit to the Memorial.

A first speech by the two Heads of State is expected. At the end of their interview, the two men will make a joint statement to the press. A speech which should set the tone for this official visit which will continue until Saturday afternoon.