[ad_1]
ORAN, Algeria (AP) – French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting Olympic dancers on Saturday and visiting an Algerian record store honored by a famous DJ, feeling comfortable under diplomatic supervision on his trip to Algeria..
Both stops, according to the French, were a sign of young Macron’s confidence in the future of Franco-Algerian relations after decades of colonial mistakes and related misunderstandings after Algeria’s independence in 1962.
The French leader visited Disco Maghreb, a historic archive in the western Algerian city of Oran and a recording label for artists who perform traditional Rai music. Franco-Algerian artist DJ Snake helped bring attention to disco Maghreb and Rai rhythms.
Macron is watching a performance by Algerian breakdancers who are set to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where breakdancing began as an Olympic sport.
Macron is expected to conclude his three-day trip to Algeria next Saturday by signing a joint statement with President Abdelmajid Tebouen.
On Friday, Macron promised that France would be more flexible in issuing visas. After a major diplomatic crisis between the two countries last year, for Algerian citizens. He and Tebouen have been together since the beginning of French colonialism.
Economic cooperation is an integral part of the journey. Algeria is key to Europe’s gas and oil supply, while Russia’s war in Ukraine has strengthened the North African country’s role as European countries look for alternatives to Russian energy..
Macron’s office said it would also raise human rights issues. Algeria in the year After pro-democracy protests in 2019, she has seen a crackdown on the opposition, and rights activists have criticized a regime that treats protesters as criminals and does not allow free speech.
[ad_2]
Source link
