Messahel: “We Won’t Open Refugee Centers… Criticism Of International Organizations Is Not Innocent”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdelkader Messahel, referring to the burning migration crisis, has stated that it is unlikely that Algeria will open any detention center, stressing in this regard, that Algeria faces the same problems as Europe.
The head of the Algerian diplomacy said in an interview with Radio France International (RFI) on Wednesday that “Algeria is unlikely to open any detention center for illegal migrants, because, he said, we face the same problems, as we are carrying out smooth deportations of illegal migrants back to their native countries, but we do so in accordance with arrangements duly agreed with neighboring countries”.
Mr Messahel pointed out that when it comes to illegal immigration, “we have to understand things well.”
“We are facing the same problems, and when it comes to illegal immigration, we have to absorb things well, we are witnessing the same phenomena and we must fight illegal migration within the framework of United Nations conventions and arrangements agreed with countries of origin and countries of transit, and this is what Algeria is doing in all cases,” he underscored to this effect.
“I do not care directly what the Europeans can do, that’s their business, and I think the Europeans have enough capacity, means and vision to manage this kind of situation,” Mr Messahel added.
With regard to the criticism of some NGOs about Algeria’s alleged untoward handling of the migration crisis, particularly in southern Algeria, the Minister for Foreign Affairs underlined that this was only “necessary” and that such criticism was “not innocent”.
“We are very calm, because everything we do is done within the framework of the laws and humanitarian conventions, and we do it in the shadow of the law,” the Minister said.
“These repatriations are being carried out in full respect for human dignity and in close consultation with transit countries “, he further asserted.
As for the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the oil file, Mr Abdelkader Messahel said: “We have no problem with any country in the world. We have a policy and we’ve followed it since independence. We never interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and we do not allow anyone to interfere in our own internal affairs. With the United States, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states … we have no problems whatsoever with any of these countries or with others across the world.”
As for the Libyan file and the outcome of recent Paris meeting devoted to this issue, Mr. Messahel explained that Algeria supports the ongoing efforts of the United Nations and all other efforts that tend to accompany the United Nations in implementing the road map and the work of the UN body in a bid to thrash out an early consensual solution to the Libyan crisis.