The Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, affirmed Wednesday in Algiers, commitment to the strategic approach of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, regarding the national community abroad. This policy reflects the diaspora’s vital importance and central place in the country’s foreign policy.
In a speech delivered at the conclusion of a seminar for heads of consular posts at the ministry’s headquarters, Attaf explained that “the strategic approach developed by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is a comprehensive and integrated vision. It prioritizes strengthening the spirit of belonging, fortifying roots of connection, and promoting a sense of citizenship among our national community abroad.” He added that this vision highlights “the role of Algerian men and women abroad as bridges of communication and understanding, and as key builders in forging cooperation and partnership between Algeria and their countries of residence.”
Furthermore, it “positions the sons and daughters of the national community as important actors in national development and the broader process of national renewal.” Addressing the heads of consular centers, Attaf said: “In recent years, you have seen the results of decisions and measures taken by the President of the Republic in favor of the national community residing abroad.” He explained that these measures “confirm that Algerians living abroad are an integral part of the Algerian people, sharing the same rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities.”
In this regard, the FM referred to the “mobilization to defend the rights of Algerian citizens abroad, the expansion of the national pension system to include Algerian nationals overseas, and the allocation of housing quotas for their benefit within national programs.” On the economic front, he highlighted “encouraging the national community to contribute to the national economy, particularly by enabling youth in the diaspora to benefit from national mechanisms for creating micro-enterprises and startups.” Attaf also mentioned the significant “regularization measure” recently approved by the President of the Republic for young Algerians abroad in precarious or illegal situations.
He emphasized the responsibility of consular heads to “ensure the optimal implementation of this measure by accompanying concerned citizens through the stages necessary to regularize their status.” Commending the conference’s outcomes, Attaf called on the heads of consular centers to “follow up on the implementation of these results with seriousness, responsibility, and commitment.”
Regarding consular management, he stated that officials are “required to ensure the continued simplification of administrative procedures and to guarantee their standardization in line with the amended legal framework governing consular functions.” The Minister of State added that the heads of consular posts must “ensure the application of the 17 regulatory texts adopted at this conference, which concern all consular procedures and documents.”
Turning into legal and consular protection, Attaf called for the “utmost attention” to be paid to this issue, which “constitutes the essence of consular work, particularly through the defense of Algerian citizens’ interests against any injustice or abuse in their countries of residence.” He affirmed that the government “will remain keen to fulfill all its obligations in this regard and will not compromise on them in the slightest.”
