Algeria protests French airport restrictions on diplomats

Algeria has condemned a decision by French authorities to bar its diplomats from restricted zones at Paris airports, calling it a breach of diplomatic norms and a violation of international law.

In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, Algeria’s Foreign Ministry said the move prevented its embassy staff from accessing secure areas to handle diplomatic bags — a right protected under the Vienna Convention. The ministry said it was “greatly surprised” by the restrictions and vowed to impose reciprocal measures immediately.

The chargé d’affaires of the French Embassy in Algiers was summoned to the Foreign Ministry for explanations, while Algeria’s acting envoy in Paris contacted French officials directly.

According to Algiers, France’s Interior Ministry ordered the restrictions without informing its Foreign Ministry — a decision Algeria criticised as non-transparent and contrary to established diplomatic procedures.

Algeria stressed that the Vienna Convention allows diplomatic missions to receive official correspondence and bags directly from aircraft without interference.

The ministry warned it reserves the right to take the matter to the United Nations and will respond with “strict and immediate” reciprocity.

Tensions between the two countries have been steadily rising. In July 2024, both sides downgraded their diplomatic ties to chargé d’affaires level after France backed Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy plan — a stance Algeria fiercely rejects.

Copied