Keys to the relationship between Algeria and Spain with gas and the Sahara through

International Writing, 19 Mar Spain considers Algeria a “very reliable” and “strategic” partner, and relations between the two countries have intensified in recent months, marked by the issue of the Sahara and Algerian gas trade, a key raw material for both Spanish and European industry, even more so after the war in Ukraine. Spain and Algeria have maintained diplomatic relations since the independence of the North African country on 3 July 1962. Since 1982, with the arrival of the socialists to power, the Spanish Executive has repeatedly highlighted its attitude favourable to the self-determination of the Saharawi people and to establish friendly relations with all the countries of the Maghreb. Since then, the Spanish-Algerian relationship has affected all areas, despite some minor diplomatic incidents involving fishing, and official contacts have intensified. Just two weeks ago, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, showed their willingness to strengthen energy cooperation, following a telephone call, in which the Spanish president thanked Algeria for being “a reliable energy partner”, as reported then by the Presidency of the Algerian Republic. SAHARA AND GHALI Between April and May 2021, Algeria was affected by the dispute that broke out between Spain and Morocco after the leader of the Frente Polisario, Bahim Ghali, a resident in the camps in the Algerian city of Tindouf, was transferred to Logroño suffering from coronavirus on an Algerian medicalized plane. Although Ghali's trip seriously strained relations between Madrid and Rabat, Algeria welcomed the Spanish humanitarian gesture with the leader of the Frente Polisario, who was finally able to recover and return to Tindouf. GAS SUPPLY In recent years, relations between Algeria and Spain have intensified significantly with several visits by Spanish authorities to Algiers. On October 7, 2020, President Pedro Sánchez paid an official visit to Algeria and his agenda included migration, security and the fight against terrorism, as well as energy. In August 2021, after severe tensions and border clashes, Algiers broke diplomatic relations with Rabat, a decision that had a major impact on the supply of Algerian gas to Europe due to Algeria's decision to close the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline through Morocco. The decision forced Spain to seek guarantees of supply through the second gas pipeline they maintain with Algeria (Medgaz). In September 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, traveled to Algiers and the Algerian authorities confirmed the continuity of the gas supply to Spain through that second gas pipeline. In the same context, the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, visited the North African country on October 27, 2021, days before the contract for the supply of gas through the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline (GME) expired. CHIEF msp/doc/ma/ie