Spain's PM Sánchez visits Algeria for first time in four years as ties thaw

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in Algiers on Monday that he sought to deepen ties with Algeria, as the countries mend relations after a dispute over Western Sahara. Sanchez told reporters that the visit, a first in four years, held "particular importance" for Spain, which views Algeria as "not only a neighbouring country but also a strategic partner." The premier, accompanied by senior Spanish energy executives, noted that Algeria is Spain's largest supplier of natural gas this year. Relations deteriorated in 2022 when Spain backed Morocco's sovereignty claim over Western Sahara, reversing its decades-long neutral stance on the conflict over its former colony. This angered Algeria, which supports the pro-independence Polisario Front in Western Sahara. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said at a news conference in Algiers that talks with Sanchez were "fruitful" and "frank," and the visit gave bilateral relations a "new impetus." Tebboune added that they discussed energy, ways to encourage Spanish companies to invest in Algeria, as well as migration issues and Western Sahara. Sanchez stressed it was "essential to strengthen the political dialogue between Spain and Algeria" and to "build a mutually beneficial economic partnership." In 2022, Algeria suspended a 2002 friendship treaty with Spain, recalled its ambassador, and froze banking operations linked to trade with Madrid after Spain backed Morocco's plan for Western Sahara. Last year, Algeria and Spain began restoring commercial ties, and in March this year, Algeria said it reactivated the friendship treaty.