Spain Defends Sahara Policy Shift Amid Diplomatic Tensions with Algeria

"We have very strong ties with the Spanish state but the head of government (Pedro Sanchez, editor’s note) has broken everything," criticized the Algerian president in an interview with two Algerian media on April 23. "I’m not going to fuel sterile controversies, but Spain has made a sovereign decision within the framework of international law and there’s nothing else to add," declared the Spanish Foreign Minister on Monday during his appearance on the Onda Cero radio station in response to Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s remarks.

Algeria "would never renounce its commitments to ensure the supply of gas to Spain whatever the circumstances," the Algerian president assured. "Of all these statements, what I retain is the total guarantee of the Algerian gas supply to Spain and the respect of international contracts," stressed José Manuel Albares.