Macron Convenes Key Ministers After Call with Algeria’s Tebboune to Reset Ties
French President Emmanuel Macron will convene a meeting on April 1, 2025, with top ministers to discuss revitalizing France-Algeria relations, following a key call with Algerian President Tebboune. The aim is to foster dialogue and cooperation amidst past tensions over history and migration, with significant implications for future diplomatic ties.
hassan benyoub 
Paris, April 1, 2025 – French President Emmanuel Macron will host a high-stakes meeting with top ministers on Tuesday at 6:00 PM to chart a new course for France-Algeria relations, following a pivotal phone call with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The gathering, confirmed by executive sources to AFP, comes as both nations aim to thaw months of frosty diplomacy.
A Push to Revive Bilateral Ties
The Tuesday meeting at the Élysée Palace will include key figures shaping France’s Algeria policy: Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Culture Minister Rachida Dati, and Economy Minister Eric Lombard. The urgency stems from Monday’s call, after which Macron and Tebboune issued a joint statement pledging to “swiftly relaunch” dialogue.
- Diplomatic Move: Foreign Minister Barrot will travel to Algiers on April 6 to kickstart this effort.
- Judicial Cooperation: Justice Minister Darmanin is also slated for an upcoming visit to bolster legal ties.
The talks signal a turning point after a period of tension, driven by disputes over colonial history and migration policies.
Key Players and Their Roles
Here’s who’s at the table and why they matter:
- Jean-Noël Barrot (Foreign Affairs): Tasked with leading the diplomatic reset in Algiers.
- Gérald Darmanin (Justice): Focused on reviving judicial collaboration, critical for cross-border crime and extradition.
- Bruno Retailleau (Interior): A hardliner advocating for tougher Algerian migrant readmission policies.
- Rachida Dati (Culture): Likely addressing cultural exchanges, given her North African heritage.
- Eric Lombard (Economy): Aiming to strengthen economic partnerships amid strained ties.
Retailleau’s presence stands out. Absent from the joint statement, the right-wing Les Républicains figure has pushed a “graduated response” to force Algeria to accept more deportees—a stance his team credits for any potential breakthrough.
Why Now?
The Franco-Algerian rift deepened in 2024 over historical grievances and France’s tightened visa stance, slashing permits for Algerians. Monday’s call marks a mutual bid to mend fences:
- Migration Standoff: Retailleau’s hardline approach seeks a surge in Algeria’s reacceptance of expelled nationals.
- Diplomatic Thaw: Macron’s outreach aims to restore cooperation on security, trade, and cultural fronts.
Sources close to Retailleau told AFP that any readmission progress would validate his “power dynamic” strategy—a claim yet to be tested.
What’s at Stake?
The April 6 Algiers visit by Barrot could set the tone for 2025 relations. Success might unlock judicial and economic wins, while failure risks prolonging the standoff. With Retailleau’s hawkish stance in play, the meeting’s outcome could also shape France’s broader immigration policy.
As Macron balances diplomacy and domestic pressures, Tuesday’s talks are a critical step toward redefining a historic yet turbulent partnership.
