Spain Ready to Mediate Algeria-Morocco Crisis, Awaits Request

In an interview published Monday by the Spanish newspaper El Diario, José Manuel Albares reiterated Spain’s availability to attempt mediation in order to resolve the diplomatic crisis between Algeria and Morocco. But to engage in such action, the initiative must come from one of the parties, he explained, noting that neither Morocco nor Algeria has requested the Spanish government for this purpose.

To read: Spain Offers to Mediate Morocco-Algeria Diplomatic Crisis at Mediterranean Summit

The Spanish Foreign Minister made it known that Spain considers Algeria and Morocco as essential partners and cannot interfere in the sovereign decisions of these countries. In the same vein, Albares also refused to consider Spain’s rapprochement with Algeria as the cause of Morocco’s recall of its ambassador to Madrid, stressing that the appointment and expulsion of ambassadors are "sovereign decisions for each country".

To read: Algeria-Morocco Rift Disrupts Spain’s Gas Supply Amid Diplomatic Crisis

Furthermore, the Spanish Foreign Minister reassured that the supply of gas from Algeria is "fully guaranteed", responding to concerns about a disruption since the closure at the end of October of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline crossing Morocco.