Question 400 — embassies and consulates

Summary

Mr. Karim Ben Cheikh draws the attention of the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs to the situation regarding the issuance of visas in the consular posts of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. The difficulties noted for a long time are aggravated by the decision of Mr. Castex's Government, in September 2021, to automatically reduce the visas granted for the three Maghreb countries, on the grounds that the latter refuse to issue consular passes for their nationals who are subject to obligations to leave French territory (OQTF). This decision was intended, according to the Government spokesperson at the time, to “push the countries concerned to change their policy and agree to issue “consular passes”. Ten months later, this policy has not resolved the issue it was supposed to address. On the other hand, many Nationals of the three Maghreb countries denounce visa rejections without serious reason, which is contrary to the right of applicants to an individual and serious examination of their file. The MP believes that the citizens of the three aforementioned countries do not have to suffer the consequences of a standoff policy of dubious effectiveness. Today, people presenting all the necessary guarantees to travel to the country are seen prevented from entering the national territory. Refusals and delays in granting visas concern various profiles: entrepreneurs, students (some having completed public schooling in the French education system), parents or spouses of French people... For their part, diplomatic personnel, subject to untenable injunctions, suffer a hostility that is all the more damaging as it is added to a political context particularly difficult region. In the end, it is a real breakdown of trust with populations historically close to the country that is taking place today. The price to pay will undoubtedly be heavy on French bilateral policies, at all levels. In view of these elements, he questions the need to put an end to this unjust, counterproductive and, in many aspects, incoherent policy.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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