Algerian minister criticises French ambassador over ‘visa issues’

Algeria’s Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Ramtane Lamamra, has described the remarks of the French ambassador regarding visa issues as “unfortunate”, Quds Press reported on Friday.

Local media reported earlier that Ambassador Bernard Emié told a public meeting in Tizi Ouzou that “Sixty per cent of visas issued by France are given to inhabitants of tribal regions, and 50 per cent of Algerian students in France come from these regions.”

According to Lamamra, “If statements, made in circumstances I am unaware of, are likely to raise such issues, provoke comments, questions and many contradictory perceptions, it means that these statements were surely unfortunate.” Such remarks, he said, do not add any value to mutual relations. “Moreover, our diplomatic profession stipulates encouraging, in any circumstances, statements that bring people together not those which divide.” The main role of a diplomats is to build bridges, promote exchanges and strengthen friendship and cooperation, he added.

Replying to a question about the comment of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy that Algeria is “a danger for southern Europe following the drop in oil prices,” Lamamra noted that “the interest shown through stereotypical images and caricatures used by this person raises obvious questions.”