Relations between Algeria and Spain have been strained since the government of Pedro Sanchez supported the Moroccan proposal for autonomy in the occupied territories of Western Sahara.
Economic sanctions imposed by Algeria on Spain have created a diplomatic crisis between the two countries, but the European Union refuses to pressure Algeria to cancel them.
According to Denis Redonnet, Deputy Director General for Trade at the European Commission, the sanctions imposed by Algeria on Spain constitute “economic coercion” and the European Commission is committed to lifting them. However, he also pointed out that the EU has not yet opened the file of the measures imposed by Algeria against Spain.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albaris traveled to Brussels immediately after Algeria announced strict measures against Spain, but he only managed to issue a joint statement expressing the concern of the EU concerning “the violation of the Association Agreement with the European Union”. The sources indicate that the European Union has not lifted a finger in the face of Algerian measures against Spain.
Algeria, for its part, accused Spain of obstructing the convening of the Association Council with the European Union and confirmed its rejection of what it described as “demonstration movements and pressure exerted by Madrid”.
Despite the tensions, the EU continues to stress the need to cooperate with Algeria in the field of energy. However, the solidarity with Madrid is only verbal at the moment.
