Xavier Driencourt Finally Reveals Himself: Unveiling the Architect of “Visa Diplomacy”

BY: Hana Saada

ALGIERS- In a series of recent media appearances, Xavier Driencourt, the former ambassador to Algeria, has shed light on his covert mission and unveiled his role in shaping bilateral relations between France and Algeria. These carefully timed interventions have not only caught the attention of the public but have also raised eyebrows among politicians on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Contrary to popular belief, Driencourt’s actions cannot be dismissed as personal opinions or blind animosity towards a particular country. His latest article, titled “L’énigme algérienne,” or ” The Algerian enigma” clearly indicates that he perceives France’s relationship with Algeria as a multifaceted issue encompassing both foreign and domestic policies.

It is worth noting that Driencourt is the mastermind behind what has been coined as “visa diplomacy,” a strategy that unilaterally reduced the number of visas issued to Algerians by 50%, a move allegedly aimed at pressuring Algeria into accepting the repatriation of French nationals who had been convicted of various offenses.

By skillfully manipulating the visa issuance process, Driencourt proposed leveraging this instrument to influence Algeria’ stance on crucial matters, including the renegotiation of the advantageous 1968 Agreements that he believes favor Algerian nationals over those from other Maghreb countries.

Recent French statistics reveal a drastic decline in the number of visas issued, plummeting from 420,000 to a mere 15,000 over the past three years. As a result, French authorities introduced the concept of “chosen emigration,” suggesting that only highly educated individuals, such as doctors, engineers, senior technicians, and nurses, would be granted visas, essentially restricting immigration to the elite.

In his most recent revelation, Driencourt goes a step further, highlighting the democratization of the Algerian regime as a key concern for France’s internal policy in Algeria. He describes Algeria as a politically and militarily driven country that poses a potential threat, capable of collapsing and dragging France down with it.

Implicitly, Driencourt argues for France’s right to scrutinize Algeria’s internal politics and urges it to embark on a path of democratization, linking it to the Hirak movement. However, it is crucial to remember that Algeria has been an independent nation since 1962 and is not beholden to France’s directives as if it were still a part of its overseas territories.

Considering the sizable Algerian community of approximately seven million residing in France, which includes three million dual citizens with voting rights, Driencourt believes that “visa diplomacy” should be further intensified to influence Algeria’s position on bilateral and multilateral issues. He asserts that the Algerian government only understands the language of power and the balance of power.

It is essential to recognize that the Algerian-French relationship is reciprocal and falls within the purview of both countries’ foreign and internal policies. Driencourt’s one-sided interventions, strategically timed as they may be, fail to acknowledge this fundamental reality.

However, in his latest intervention, Driencourt’s mask slips when he criticizes President Macron for allegedly disrupting the “Maghreb balance” by favoring Algeria over Morocco, a country he claims to be unfamiliar with. Driencourt proposes that President Macron recalibrate France’s relations in the Maghreb to benefit Morocco, a country he perceives as a long-standing friend, while branding Algeria as a hostile nation, if not an outright enemy, whose interests run contrary to those of France.

In fact, Xavier Driencourt has been recruited by our Western neighbor and has established good relations with Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who sought refuge in that nation following his infamous sex scandals. Interestingly, Driencourt is also actively pursuing a position as either the Minister of Foreign Affairs under Edouard Philippe or potentially even as Prime Minister if Philippe ascends to the presidency in the upcoming national elections.

It is worth mentioning that Driencourt has made a noteworthy statement, expressing his intention to unilaterally abrogate the Algerian-French Agreements of 1968!

Translated with adaptation from: El Watan