Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s recent visit to Algeria marks the highest-level engagement since Spain’s endorsement of Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara in 2022, which triggered a diplomatic rupture. Algeria responded at the time by recalling its ambassador, suspending a friendship treaty, and restricting trade. However, relations have gradually recovered, and both governments are now seeking to strengthen cooperation on energy, migration, counterterrorism, and regional stability. With the rapprochement, Spain gains reassurance over gas supplies as Europe diversifies from Russian energy, while Algeria regains diplomatic standing and investment. Despite this, the unresolved Western Sahara dispute remains a latent risk to warming ties.
Anadolu Ajansi