What was not said on French Prime Minister’s visit to Algeria

The last visit of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to Algeria dealt with all the important issues between the two countries except France’s colonial past. Paris still refuses to apologize for its crimes against Algerians.

Agreements signed by Algeria and France show that Paris is only interested in gaining deals and new projects for its companies. 

France did not make any concession and still considers Algeria as a vital area it had inherited from the past.

During the visit, Algeria did not submit any official request to France to apologize for its colonial crimes. This request would be accepted among public opinion and politicians.

Earlier in 2007, French President François Hollande described the colonial system as “unfair.”

Although the Algerian amended Constitution gives larger prerogatives to opposition parties, no member of Parliament talked about the law on criminalizing colonization.

It would be stupid to believe that French foreign investments such as Renault and Peugeot Citroen car plants are not under any political control. 

It would also be stupid to believe that political authorities in Paris were not involved in choosing Morocco instead of Algeria to set up their main car manufacturing plants.