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 Yugoslavia |  Algeria |
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Algeria–Yugoslavia relations were historical foreign relations betweenAlgeria and nowsplit-upSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Both countries self-identified with the widerMediterranean region and shared membership in theNon-Aligned Movement. During theAlgerian War Yugoslavia provided significant logistical and diplomatic support to the Algerian side which affected its intra-European relations withFrance. Yugoslavia was the firstEuropean country to openly support the FLN.[1]
Within the Non-Aligned Movement Yugoslavia closely collaborated with self-described core members ofIndia andEgypt while Algeria followed self-described progressive group in whichCuba played prominent role. Yugoslavia officially recognized the independence of Algeria on 5 September 1961 as the first country in Europe to do so.[2] The country established formal diplomatic relations 3 days before the independence on 2 July 1962.[3] This led to rupture in Yugoslav-French relations asParis decided to withdraw its ambassador fromBelgrade.[4]
During theAlgerian War representatives of theNational Liberation Front described theirMediterranean ally Yugoslavia as their closest non-Arab allies.[4] During the war Yugoslaviade facto recognition of the FLN as the representative of the Algerian nation, but considering France's stern warnings avoidedde jure recognition of the movement.[4] It is believed that the first secret contacts were established in 1954 inCairo when Yugoslavia officially sold military equipment to Egypt which after one month were transferred to Algeria.[5] In October 1956 Belgrade hosted the meeting between FLN'sMohamed Khider andSFIO's Pierre Herbaut, while from 1957 Yugoslavia abandoned intermediation efforts and decided to openly support Algeria.[5] From that timeFrench Navy started to interspect Yugoslav trade ships in Mediterranean believig that they deliver aid to Algerian rebels.[5] On 7 August 1957 French Navy discovered and took 70 tones of military equipment of Yugoslav shipSrbija [English: Serbia] while the largest discovered delivery was discovered on 18 January 1958 close toOran whenJadrolinija's shipSlovenija [English: Slovenia] was found in possession of 148 tons of military equipment.[5] President of theProvisional Government of the Algerian RepublicFerhat Abbas visited Belgrade between 6 and 12 January 1959 where he talked with thePresident of YugoslaviaJosip Broz Tito.[2] On 2 February 1959 other two membersKrim Belkacem andMhamed Yazid held talks with the Ambassador of Yugoslavia toTunisia.[2] Yugoslavia provided food, medicine, and military supplies to the Algerian fighters which Algerians did not expect from a middle-sized European communist country.[4] Yugoslav population perceived Algerian experiences as reminiscent of its not so distantNational Liberation and Revolution during theWorld War II.[5] Country therefore paid attention to the cultural aspect of the Algerian War and sent its photographers such as Stevan Labudović who recorded 27 films and 274 photos in 1959-1962 period, officialEl Moudjahid newspapers were issued in Belgrade edition as well the first gramophone recording of theKassaman.[5] On 1 March 1960 National Liberation Front (FLN) opened its Bureau in Belgrade.[2] Against the Indian wishes but with support of Sukarno and Nkrumah, the Algerian FLN was invited to attend the 1961 Non-Aligned Conference in Belgrade under the status of a sovereign government.[4] Ben Bella visited Yugoslavia in March 1964.[4]
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