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The move was made after France cut visas for nationals of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia due to immigration policy.
After Paris pledged to reduce the number of visas available to nationals of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, Algeria summoned the French ambassador to the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it had summoned Ambassador François Guyette to “notify him of a formal protest…after the French government has made a unilateral decision.”
The statement added: “This decision was made without prior consultation with the Algerian side, which raises questions about its reasons and background.”
The French government’s plan was announced on Tuesday in response to the North African government’s refusal to accept undocumented immigrants repatriated by the French authorities.
“We will reduce the number of visas very significantly,” Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said in Paris on Wednesday.
He added that the number of visas for Algeria and Morocco will be reduced by 50%, while the number of visas for Tunisian nationals will be reduced by two-thirds.
The minister said that this step was taken because the three countries refused to take back some of their nationals who were deported by France for crimes, becoming “radical” or without a residence permit.
“As long as you do not take back your nationals, we will not accept your nationals,” Dammanin said in an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV.
The minister emphasized that this has nothing to do with the French presidential election scheduled for April next year.
On the eve of the campaign, immigration has become a key issue among conservatives and far-right camps.
The far-right presidential candidate Marina Le Pen gave qualified support for visa relief on Tuesday, but said the government of President Emmanuel Macron had waited too long to take action.
Le Pen is Macron’s main rival in the 2017 general election and is regarded as his main rival.
“For a long time, I have asked for measures to force certain countries to comply with international law,” she said, referring to Algeria and Tunisia. “I’m glad that the President of the Republic heard my voice. I think it’s a bit late.”
Morocco, Tunisia react
The Moroccan foreign minister on Tuesday criticized France’s decision as “unreasonable.”
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita stated that Morocco has issued 400 consular documents to Moroccans deported from France, but the number is limited because many of them refuse to be tested for coronavirus, which is Necessary to re-enter Morocco.
Britta said at a press conference in Rabat that this is “a problem that France must solve.”
He said that Morocco is trying to “find the necessary balance between facilitating the movement of people (whether students, businessmen or those who wish to benefit from medical services) and combating clandestine immigration.”
Tunisia has adopted a more conciliatory public position. The Office of President Case Said said: “We are one of the countries that cooperate in this field, and we have a good relationship with France.”
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