Watan-A number of French officials, including MPs and senators from both the left and center, visited Algeria this week to commemorate the May 8, 1945 massacres, amid heightened tensions between Algeria and Paris.
In an interview with France Info and Le Monde on Sunday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed regret that the relationship between France and Algeria remains “completely frozen” since Algeria’s sudden expulsion of twelve French employees in mid-April—an action that was met with a retaliatory move by Paris.
“These massacres in Sétif deserve to be commemorated,” Barrot said. “The French embassy in Algeria laid a wreath on the occasion.”
He added, “This is part of the process of acknowledging the truth, a path France has been committed to since 2017. It’s always positive when parliamentarians can attend such events, but the relationship is still completely stalled.”
France Blames Algeria for Diplomatic Fallout as Ambassador Remains Recalled and Sanctions Loom
Barrot blamed the Algerian authorities for the diplomatic freeze: “They decided, without warning, to expel 12 of our staff members.”
“This was not just a harsh administrative move—it affected men and women who were forced to abruptly leave their families, children, and homes.”
When asked about possible sanctions against Algeria, Barrot recalled that earlier this year he imposed measures to “restrict access of prominent Algerian figures” to France, noting that “those affected felt the impact deeply.”
He concluded, “I don’t rule out further action. I won’t announce in advance when or whether I will take such steps. That’s how diplomacy works.”
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