France aims for 250,000 visas annually for Algerians; ambassador discusses bilateral ties

France is seeking to significantly increase its visa issuance for Algerian nationals, aiming for 250,000 visas per year. This initiative was discussed in the context of broader bilateral relations between France and Algeria. Stéphane Romatet, the French ambassador to Algeria, elaborated on various aspects of the relationship in a recent interview, including security, justice, immigration, and economic ties. The interview, conducted by the online media outlet Tout sur l’Algérie (TSA), covered a wide range of topics following Romatet's return to Algiers. Notably, the situation of French journalist Christophe Gleizes was not addressed during the discussion. Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, visiting Berlin, declined to comment on Gleizes's case. In Germany, Tebboune and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the strong relationship between their countries and expressed a desire to elevate their partnership. Separately, former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a campaign to alter electoral rules in the United States, reiterating his claims of a stolen 2020 election and urging his supporters to vote for his proposed reforms.