France respects peaceful democratic movements, wherever they are, outside its territory and of course on its territory, says a French writer and analyst Pierre Louis Raymond

Raymond stated this while commenting on France’s position on the protests in Algeria, he told Algerian newspaper Echorouk: “France has a long history of relations with Algeria.

We have currently noticed the French president [Emmanuel Macron]’s restlessness and discomfort, not only with developments in the situation but also with the constants of international diplomatic positions, which he wanted to apply since he came to power after he announced them in his [election] campaign.”

Raymond explained: “These fundamental principles stated that [France] should not interfere in the internal affairs of any country whatsoever.

 In this context, we still remember the statements of the French president who described French colonialism as a crime against humanity.”

Raymond stressed: “We cannot talk about ‘supporting actions taken’ by the ruling power as a whole, but we can talk about French support for stability.”

The French academic provided his reading of France’s positions, and whether there is fear of losing its interests in Algeria if Bouteflika’s term is brought to an end.

On this, Raymond said: “I think that the French authorities have not solved things this way. Their handling of Algerian reality is still characterized with the principle of non-interference and at the same time non-ignorance, while looking at the democratic movement with interest.

“We should not forget also that the French president praised the movement and the Algerian youth.”

Raymond responded to the question of whether France is still considers Algeria a “backyard” that cannot be abandoned, saying: “The matter of the backyard will not be an issue of the same degree of centrality anymore for France.

“Let us not forget that economic relations and known interests are within a new context that cannot be denied by any Western country and France is no exception in this framework.

“Therefore, the French Foreign Ministry no longer adopts dogmatic positions such as ‘there must be’. The main principle now is pragmatism.”

Raymond concluded: “France respects peaceful democratic movements, wherever they are, outside its territory and of course on its territory. This is why I will not talk about ‘forcing a change of attitude’ as much as I will talk about France’s commitment to its expected role in such cases, which is the role of the pragmatic observer.”