Algeria to Review Trade Deals with Spain Amid Western Sahara Dispute, Gas Supply Continues

The Algerian government "will review all agreements with Spain, in all areas," said Chakib Kaid, the secretary general of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in an interview with El Comercio in Rome, specifying however that his country will not stop supplying gas to Spain, but may not renew the ongoing gas contracts after their expiration in 2030.

To read: Algeria Vows ’Energetic’ Response to Spain’s Shift on Western Sahara

Kaid said his government "was not informed" of Spain’s decision to support the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara. "We are very surprised by this turnaround," he said. For his part, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, did not specify, during his press conference on March 18, whether he had spoken with his Algerian counterpart on this subject.

To read: Spain Backs Morocco’s Sahara Plan, Strives to Maintain Algeria Ties Amid Tensions

Algeria, which provided nearly 45% of Spain’s gas in 2021, has become an alternative for gas supply in Europe since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, the country is preparing to strengthen its energy cooperation with Italy, which covered 43% of its energy needs with purchases from Moscow in 2021. The Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, is expected in the Italian capital in May.