Macron visits fort and record shop in Oran

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the 16th century Santa Cruz fort in Oran, Algeria's second largest city, on Saturday. He then made a stop at the Disco Maghreb, an iconic record store and a label behind artists who perform traditional rai music, a feel-good interlude in a trip to Algeria dominated by delicate diplomacy.

Macron on Friday promised more flexibility in issuing visas to Algerians after a major diplomatic crisis broke out last year between the two countries over the issue. He and Algerian president also agreed to form a joint commission of historians who will examine the past from the beginning of French colonization in 1830 to Algeria's independence. His visit also aimed to boost economic cooperation.