Le Monde: France Aims to Establish Relation of Trust with Algeria

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian states France's wish to establish a relationship of trust and partnership with Algeria, in light of last month's shocking statements made by French President Macron.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says that France has deep ties in history with Algeria, and he hopes that the French-Algerian partnership will be "ambitious".

Le Drian said on Friday, that "France aspires to establish an ambitious relationship of trust and partnership with Algeria," noting that it goes beyond what he described as "old wounds that may sometimes reappear."

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, the French minister explained that "misunderstandings happen from time to time, but this does not diminish the importance we give to the relations between our two countries," adding that "this bond, based on respect for sovereignty and common will to overcome differences, must be preserved."

He further noted that "it is logical that the old wounds reappear, but we should overcome those wounds to restore the relationship of trust."

Le Drian was referring in his comments to French President Emmanuel Macron's several controversial, shocking, and unprecedented statements toward Algeria and its president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The minister considered that Macron was being influenced by those around him despite the good relations he maintains with the Algerian president.