Algeria Indifferent to French Appeasement Efforts: Le Figaro
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Tensions are still heightened between France and Algeria despite Macron's attempts to appease Algiers.
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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on December 2019 (PPAgency)
The Algerian Presidency is yet to change its stance announced in an official statement on October 2 in response to French President Emmanuel Macron's statements regarding the history of Algeria, Le Monde said.
"Algeria's position is still the same" for the time being, a source close to the presidency told the French daily. The source also said the words of the French President president would not change anything.
French President Macron had said he had "cordial relations" with his Algerian counterpart, Tebboune. However, Le Figaro's interlocutor insisted that the problem "is not personal, but rather a problem between the states."
Algeria would remain indifferent to appeasement attempts such as those made by French President Emmanuel Macron by trying to be friendly with President Tebboune, the source said.
These statements come after a French-ignited diplomatic issue that saw President Macron disrespecting Algeria and its history, questioning whether the North African state existed prior to French colonization.
The French statements were followed by Algeria recalling its ambassador to France and closing its airspace to French military aircraft. The last move formed an obstacle in the face of France, which traverses the Algerian airspace on its path to the African Sahel region.
Afterward, Macron urged for continuing work with Algeria, hoping for diplomatic tensions to ease soon.
President Macron made a futile attempt at appeasing his Algerian counterpart, Tebboune, by asserting that he has a "cordial relationship" with him. Macron also urged examining France's history with Algeria with modesty and respect.
