Laurent Nuñez clarifies 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has clarified that the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement does not contain any clauses requiring Algeria to re-admit its citizens subject to expulsion orders. In a written response to the Senate, Nuñez addressed claims made by Senator Fabien Genet of Les Républicains, who had suggested the treaty obligated Algeria to facilitate the return of its nationals and provide necessary documentation.

Nuñez specified that the 1968 agreement primarily governs the movement, employment, studies, and residence of Algerians in France. He noted that the actual procedures for the identification and return of individuals facing expulsion are governed by a 1994 consular cooperation protocol, which manages the issuance of consular laissez-passer.

Addressing claims that Algeria had suspended the issuance of these documents in 2023, the Minister stated that 2023 and 2024 actually saw a high number of expulsion measures involving Algerian nationals. While cooperation declined during the 2020-2021 pandemic period, Nuñez reported a gradual recovery and acceleration in the issuance of consular documents starting in March 2022.