Ségolène Royal, president of the France-Algeria Association, expressed regret over the decline in trade between the two countries. She noted that 300 French companies were declaring bankruptcy while European countries were reaching an agreement with Algeria on green hydrogen.
Speaking on a French radio station during a discussion about Franco-Algerian relations, Royal referred to a joint political declaration of intent signed last Thursday by Algeria, Austria, Germany, Italy and Tunisia. The five countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional and Euro-Mediterranean cooperation on green hydrogen and underscored the strategic importance of the SoutH2 corridor initiative.
Royal also said the sharp drop in trade had affected several French companies. She called on France to improve its ties with its neighbours and with the African continent as a whole.
She rejected hostile remarks about Algeria made by the discussion host and challenged him over conditions in France, referring to 14-year-old children being handcuffed. “If Algeria were as you say, do you think Pope Leo XIV would have gone there?” she asked.