France suspends visa exemption deal with Algeria for diplomatic passports
France has formally suspended a bilateral agreement with Algeria that allowed visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports. The suspension, published in France’s official gazette on August 19, follows Algeria’s earlier decision to halt the accord.
The agreement, signed on December 16, 2013, in Algiers and enacted under Decree No. 2014-1003 on September 4, 2014, facilitated short-stay visa-free travel for officials of both nations. However, Algeria ceased honoring the deal on May 11, 2025. In response, France invoked Article 8 of the accord, suspending it on May 16, with the suspension taking full effect on August 7, 2025.
On the same day, Algeria announced the complete termination of the agreement, framing its decision as a response to France’s actions. In a strongly worded statement, the Algerian Foreign Ministry accused France of distorting facts and deflecting blame for deteriorating relations. Specifically, the ministry criticized French President Emmanuel Macron for initiating the suspension through a formal letter, which Algeria claimed undermined bilateral ties.
The visa exemption agreement had been an essential tool for facilitating high-level mobility between Algerian and French officials. However, escalating diplomatic tensions, including restrictions imposed by Algeria on French diplomats, led to its collapse. Algeria’s complete withdrawal from the agreement came amid broader strains in Franco-Algerian relations, notably following France’s recognition in July 2024 of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces in Sahara.
This recognition was perceived as a strategic and symbolic victory for Morocco and a direct blow to Algeria, which has historically supported the Polisario Front’s separatist ambitions in the region. Analysts suggest that the visa exemption dispute reflects the broader geopolitical rift shaping the region.
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