Zitouni: Algeria, France should “seriously” deal with issues of common memory

Wednesday, 27 January 2016 09:23
PARIS-Algeria and France should “seriously” and “responsibly” deal with issues related to their common memory, Mujahedeen Minister Tayeb Zitouni stressed Tuesday in Paris.

“It is time for us (Algerians and French) to deal with issues related to the issue of common memory in a serious and responsible way “, Zitouni stressed at a press conference after his meeting with French Secretary of State in charge of Veterans’ Affairs and Memory Jean-Marc Todeschini.

Zitouni also noted “a positive reaction” of the French side and a “strong will” from Algeria and France, thanks to the Treaty of Friendship, signed in 2012 by their respective Heads of State, to clean up all outstanding issues.

“The two countries should give due importance to the issues of memory, through a responsible reading,” he affirmed.

Noting that his visit was part of the consolidation of confidence between the two countries, the minister said that “the Algerian-French relations are witnessing significant development in the political, economic, industrial, trade and cultural fields.”

However, he warned against the neglect of the issue of memory as it “could undermine the image of strong relations between the two countries.”

As for his meeting with French Secretary of State, Zitouni, who is on his first working visit to France, said the discussions focused primarily on the issues of archives and the missing persons during the Liberation War and nuclear tests conducted by the France in southern Algeria.

“I am carrying a clear message to the French authorities expressing Algeria’s willingness to consolidate its relations with France in the mutual interest of the two peoples,” he said, adding that these relations, through the guidance of Heads of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Hollande, “are positively evolving.”

The minister announced that “the two sides agreed that the issues of archives to be discussed at the next meeting of the High Level Intergovernmental Commission (CIHN) in March in Algiers.”

He added, “a joint commission will be set up and should meet on 11 February to study the issue of missing and address compensation for victims of nuclear tests, not to mention the environmental aspect.”

Referring to the issues of archives, Zitouni wishes “a diligent treatment of this issue to achieve tangible results in a very short time.”