🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez discusses migration and security cooperation with Algeria, citing over 140 consular passes obtained
via Algérie3602 min read
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, speaking on Europe1-CNews on May 7, 2026, addressed the state of migratory and security relations between France and Algeria. He defended his "demanding dialogue" strategy with Algiers following his February visit, which had drawn criticism, particularly from the French right. Nuñez stated that the confrontational approach previously adopted had not yielded results. During his visit, sensitive security and migration topics were discussed. Nuñez reported a significant improvement in the issuance of consular passes, which are essential for the repatriation of Algerian nationals in an irregular situation in France. He noted that from the beginning of the year until his mid-February visit, no passes had been issued. Since then, 120 passes were issued, and the number has now exceeded 140. While acknowledging that more needs to be done, Nuñez views these figures as a restart of cooperation between Paris and Algiers. He rejected accusations of being "too conciliatory" with Algeria, emphasizing the importance of maintaining close relations between the two states for security and migration matters. Nuñez also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with Algerian authorities regarding the reorganization of group repatriation flights.
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Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has been appointed to officiate the Algeria-Jordan World Cup 2026 match on June 23. This decision has drawn attention due to a past controversy involving Vincic. In 2020, he was present at a party in Bijeljina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, where police seized narcotics, weapons, and other materials. Vincic was questioned as a witness, not a suspect, and stated his presence was due to a professional invitation, calling it a "grave error" and expressing regret. The FIFA was aware of the incident but did not remove him from their lists, and he has since continued to officiate high-level international matches. This appointment comes as Algeria faces a critical second group match, with any contentious refereeing decision expected to be heavily scrutinized. The Algerian team is already under pressure following a controversial match against Argentina on June 17, where Polish referee Szymon Marciniak reportedly overlooked several fouls against Algerian players. The Algerian Football Federation filed an official complaint with the FIFA, which later acknowledged a judgment error by the VAR referees and issued sanctions. The selection of Vincic for the Algeria-Jordan match reignites debate about the FIFA's criteria for appointing referees in high-stakes games, especially when officials have past controversies. This discussion extends beyond Algeria, as several controversial refereeing decisions and the opaque functioning of the centralized VAR system in Dallas hav
Algeria is set to host a significant industrial development in the footwear sector with the establishment of Skechers' first African production facility. The Minister of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion, Kamel Rezig, oversaw the signing of a partnership agreement between the American group Skechers and the Algerian company Tradifoot. The ceremony included Douglas Parker, Skechers' Vice President of Financial Affairs, and Djamel Ramoul, CEO of Tradifoot. This project positions Algeria as Skechers' inaugural industrial base on the African continent. The factory is projected to begin production in the first quarter of 2027, with an estimated capacity of two million pairs of shoes annually. The local integration rate is expected to reach 40%, aiming to reduce import dependency and build an industrial sector around the brand. Beyond manufacturing, the project includes training and skills transfer, with Skechers experts supporting the factory's launch and local workforce development to ensure international standards. The initiative also aims to establish Algeria as a regional industrial and export platform, with plans to export to African markets from the second year of operation. Kamel Rezig highlighted the national strategy to reduce imports through local production and foreign investment, viewing Skechers' choice of Algeria as a sign of growing investor confidence in the country's business environment and economic reforms.
The Romanian Embassy in Algeria, a member of the European Union and the Schengen area, will suspend its visa services indefinitely starting June 25, 2026. This means Algerian applicants for a Schengen visa to Romania will be unable to submit new applications. The diplomatic representation stated in a social media release that the temporary suspension is due to a "vacancy of the consul position." The embassy noted that this is not an unprecedented situation, as visa services have been temporarily closed in the past due to staff shortages. Romania joined the Schengen area on January 1, 2025, formalizing the lifting of border controls. The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively seeking solutions to resolve the situation promptly. The embassy did not specify procedures for visa applications already submitted and expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to applicants.