This would be a new earthquake in relations between France and Algeria. According to Le Figaro, Algiers is preparing to suspend commercial relations between the two countries. The Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions summoned local banks on Monday to inform them of a new measure: import and export operations, from and to France, can no longer be processed, our colleagues wrote Wednesday. According to information from Europe 1 this Thursday, Algeria has even imposed restrictive measures on imports and exports with France since Tuesday.
No official note has yet been published and at this stage it is only an instruction communicated orally. But the former French ambassador to the country Xavier Driencourt relayed a note on We inform you that from November 5, 2024, import domiciliations originating and/or coming from France will no longer be processed by local banks, export operations to France are also affected. », Indicates the document. “ To thank France, Algeria decides to block all French imports and exports to France. We are definitely blind », Estimates the ex-diplomat.
Nearly 12 billion euros in trade
If Algiers has not yet confirmed its decision, this can be explained by a very tense context with Paris since France recognized the “ Moroccan sovereignty » on Western Sahara, to the detriment of Algeria. A strong act which was linked to a reconfiguration of French diplomacy in the Maghreb after the failure of rapprochement with Algeria in recent years.
In 2023, trade between France and Algeria increased by 5.3% to reach 11.8 billion euros. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, this increase was mainly explained by the increase in French imports of Algerian goods, driven by imports of natural gas and crude oil. Concerning French exports to Algeria, these include, for example, cars, medicines, meat or wheat.
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