The normalization agreement signed between Morocco and Spain could be dearly paid for by Madrid, which could see Algeria inflict a severe “punishment” on it.
Algeria intends to make Spain pay for its option to support the autonomy plan for Western Sahara proposed by Morocco and which Madrid considers to be the “most serious, realistic and credible” solution to the conflict between the Polisario Front and the Royal Armed Forces for almost 50 years. And Algiers intends to provide an “energetic, sovereign and multifaceted” response to Spain’s new posture.
At least that’s what an Algerian official told the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial. The media source warned that the recall, by the Algerian authorities, of the Ambassador of this North African country accredited to Madrid, is only a first step in the measures that the Tebboune administration intends to take. Ambassador Said Moussi has been recalled for consultations.
The newspaper’s source also reveals that Algeria will make a preferential choice over Italy which will deepen energy relations to the detriment of Spain, which Algiers will still continue to supply with gas. However, an upward revision of gas transfer prices is to be expected, warns the source. Better still, the Algerian authorities are planning a review of their foreign policy.
Algiers, which says it does not plan to give in to pressure from countries of the European Union and the United States who want to see the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline reopened, which has been closed since the end of October, intends to direct “its relations towards certain partners in the south of the Europe”, with whom it maintains “excellent traditional relations”. The strongest measure considered by the Algerian authorities is to suspend flights to Spain, the source leaks.
