Belgium has clinched a long-awaited migration accord with Algeria aimed at accelerating the return of Algerian nationals who overstay or receive deportation orders. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot and Asylum & Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt signed the agreement in Brussels on 31 March alongside Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf; details were published on 1 April. Under the deal, Algeria commits to identifying its nationals within 15 days of a Belgian request and to issuing laissez-passer documents valid for 30 days—up from the current seven. The pact also allows multiple returnees per flight and authorises Algerian security escorts on forced-return charters. A complementary protocol grants visa-free travel to holders of diplomatic and service passports, signalling warmer bilateral ties. Trade officials highlight that Algeria is Belgium’s fourth-largest gas supplier and an emerging market for hydrogen projects involving Leuven-based engineering firm John Cockerill. For the Belgian government, the accord offers tangible progress toward its pledge to raise the execution rate of deportation orders from today’s 15 % to 35 % by 2027. Businesses that recruit Algerian talent on single permits should note that overstays could now be processed more swiftly, making compliance with residence-permit renewals even more critical. Human-rights NGOs have urged transparency, calling for monitoring to ensure that returns respect international protection norms. The two governments say an oversight committee will meet quarterly in Algiers and Brussels.
Source: The Brussels Times
