FM Medelci: “We can't ignore issues of memory with France”

Colonial past can not be ignored during the visit of the French President, Francois Holland, to Algeria, which is expected on 19 and 20 December, FM Mourad Medelci said.

“The visit would be an opportunity to assess the outcome of the bilateral relations in the era of the former president, Nicolas Sarkozy”‭, he added.

Medelci explained, in an interview made ​​by the weekly “Jeune Afrique”, published in its latest number, that it is “difficult” not to address the issues of memory during the visit of Holland to Algeria, “even if they were not included in the agenda” adding. “These issues do not matter only the two governments, but also the public opinion. This visit can develop the appropriate circumstances to discuss the common memory”.

“Visit of the French President, Francois Hollande, to Algeria will allow identifying common goals for the next five years.This visit will be suitable for the preparation of the outcome on what has been achieved between 2007 and 2011”.

“This is purely political, because it comes in delicate circumstances that are characterized with implications of the Libyan crisis, and the situation prevailing the Sahel region, and especially Mali”.

“Algerian-French relationships are “ancient, important and extremely dense, and even judged according to the circumstances. These ties already noticed some oscillations, and disorders. However, we are talking today about the new stage. Cooperation ‭between ‭Algeria ‭and Paris is very intensive and ‭organized, on the basis of courses every ‭five years”‭. ‬