130 thousand Algerians got Shengen visas over the year 2009

The total number of Algerians that got a visa for the Schengen space issued from the French consulate has reached more than 130 thousands over the year 2009 placing them among the biggest visitors to the French territory.

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• The Algerian applicants hold the fourth position behind the Russians with 253 thousands and the Chinese with 170 thousands a year, while the Moroccans come at the third place with 151 thousand visas.
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• An investigation carried out by the non governmental organization” LASIMED” over the French policy concerning visas for six countries including Algeria, has revealed several shadowy zones surrounding the operation.
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• The NGO has vehemently criticized the French authorities for not following a clear and transparent policy as concerns the issue of the visas for the applicants. These practices have mired the reputation of this country and led to the emergence of several illegal migration networks, the report said.
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• This organization has denounced the latest decision made by the French authorities concerning the non- reimbursement of the visa’s fees in case of denial in addition to the delays that differ according to cases when it comes to the study of the dossiers.
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• The list of the countries comprises Algeria, Mali, Turkey, Morocco, Senegal and Ukraine, putting the French authorities in an uneasy situation towards these nations on account of the strong diplomatic relationships that exist between them.
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• The same report has revealed that Shengen states are storing records of 100 million applicants disregarding the principle of confidentiality. The European states are acting like big brother, according t the document.
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