Algeria - Tunisia
Bilateral in force
INTRODUCTION
Algeria and Tunisia signed an Establishment Convention (Convention d´établissement) in 1963. Following the Preamble of the Convention, the main reasons for its adoption relate to the close links between both countries and the need to reinforce them to facilitate the advent of a “Great Arab Maghreb”. The 1963 Convention offers nationals of each state party the possibility to freely enter, stay, circulate, and establish themselves in the territory of the other state party (entrer, sojourner, circuler et s´y établir). It also enshrines the principles of reciprocity and non-discrimination with nationals. The Convention was ratified by Algeria in 1963 and by Tunisia in 1966. It has not been denounced. The Freemove project does not assess domestic implementation. However, based on various sources, both countries discussed and took steps towards effective implementation between 2012 and 2015.
The Arab Maghreb Union was established in 1989. It includes Algeria and Tunisia. According to Article 2 of its founding treaty, one of its aims is to work for the progressive realization of the free movement of persons. However, no protocol or other legal instrument has been adopted.
STATE PARTIES
- ALGERIA
- TUNISIA
TIMELINE
| 1963 | Signature of the Establishment Convention between both countries on 26 July |
|---|---|
| 1963 | Algeria ratifies the Convention on 14 November |
| 1966 | Tunisia ratifies the Convention on 3 May |
| 1989 | Signature of the Treaty of Marrakech establishing the Arab Maghreb Union on 17 February |
| 2015 | Both countries adopt an agreement on 26 October allowing Tunisian nationals to work in Algeria without a work permit. According to some sources, such practice had been common in Tunisia for Algerians since 2012 |
KEY LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Establishment Convention between Algeria and Tunisia, Alger, 26 July 1963 [Convention d’établissement].
ADDITIONAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Algeria, Decree ratifying the Establishment Convention, 22 November 1963, Algerian Official Gazette, 22 November 1963 [Décret n° 63-450 du 14 novembre 1963 portant ratification de conventions, accords, déclarations et protocole entre la République algérienne démocratique et populaire et la République tunisienne signés à Alger le 26 juillet 1963].
Tunisia, Law 66-34, 3 May 1966, ratifying the 1963 Establishment Convention with Algeria, Tunisian Official Gazette, 6 May 1966 [Loi n° 66-34 du 03 Mai 1966, portant ratification de la convention d'établissement conclue entre la Tunisie et l'Algérie].
Treaty instituting the Arab Maghreb Union, Marrakesh, 17 February 1989. Entry into force, 1 July 1989.