Vedrine visits Algeria to repair bilateral ties

French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine starts today a two-day visit to Algeria, during which he is to be received by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmad Attaf and meet with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Prime Minister Ismael Hamdani.

Vedrine said in an interview with Europe 1 that resumption of bilateral relations is at a "very important" moment, adding, "We have been doing a great deal of preparation, a great deal of work on this reactivation of Franco-Algerian relations, which are in a troubled state particularly because of the tragedy Algeria was going through: we had had to close consulates and cultural centers, because staff had been victims of terrorism; to its great regret, Air France had had to stop flying there; and, as regards visas, when (French Prime Minister) Lionel Jospin's government came to power, we were issuing fewer than 50,000 a year, compared to several hundred thousand previously. We have gradually increased the number again and are now at about 150,000. We have made preparations for the reopening of cultural centers."

He characterized Bouteflika's statements toward advancing Algerian - French relations as encouraging, adding that relations are advancing "in the same way, it seems, as Algerian-Moroccan relations, which we are also pleased about."

Vedrine added in the interview that he will discuss with Bouteflika the "practical details" of the resumption of Air France flights to Algeria.