Emergency In Paris After Algeria Opened The Diplomatic Properties’ File
Algeria’s raising the issue of diplomatic properties used by France has caused a state of alert among French political circles, as far-right circles considered that the public exposure of this file may end with Paris losing these properties, some of which date back to the colonial era.
In this context, MP Michel Guéhenno, of the far-right National Rally party, sent a written question to the French foreign minister, addressing what he described as “the escalation of tension between Paris and Algeria,” and the possibility that the Algerian authorities could prevent France from continuing to use its properties on Algerian soil.
The MP based his question on Algerian media reports that the French ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romateh, had been summoned by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss the issue, referring to a recent APS story about properties leased by France at low prices, some of which have not undergone any review since 1962.
In his question, Guéhenno stressed the need to know the French Foreign Ministry’s position on these developments, asking what possible solutions could be adopted to ensure the continuation of the French diplomatic and consular presence in Algeria, should the latter decide to implement this step, considering that the preservation of these properties is in the interest of France and the French community residing in Algeria.
It is clear that Paris is increasingly concerned about any Algerian move that might reconsider the real estate privileges enjoyed by France since independence, especially in light of an Algerian assertion that France is the actual beneficiary of the bilateral agreements concluded between the two parties.
Although no official announcement has been made by Algeria about its intention to take decisions in this regard, the mere fact that the issue has been raised in the French parliament reflects the extent of Paris’s concern about any Algerian move that could lead to the loss of these properties.
