Algiers, DZWatch – After three years of strained relations, Algeria and Spain appear to be charting a new course in their strategic partnership. Tensions, which escalated in 2022, are giving way to renewed dialogue and a potential recalibration of the balance of power in the Western Mediterranean.
A recent meeting between Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, signals a significant shift. This encounter is viewed not merely as a diplomatic gesture, but as a conscious return to the table to reshape strategic dynamics in a sensitive international environment where security, energy, geography, and geopolitical shifts are intertwined, necessitating mutual understanding between the two nations.
Strategic analysts suggest that the resumption of direct political dialogue between Algiers and Madrid reflects a shared understanding that maintaining stability in the Western Mediterranean is a prerequisite for any economic, security, or regional cooperation. This points to a new chapter that moves beyond the repercussions of the 2022 crisis, paving the way for a more balanced and realistic partnership.
The Attaf-Albares meeting gains significance not only from its diplomatic symbolism but also from its timing and the scope of issues addressed. In a context of international instability and profound transformations in sub-Saharan Africa, the meeting has set Algerian-Spanish relations on a new trajectory that transcends traditional cooperation. Discussions encompassed energy, investment, economic cooperation, as well as security issues and irregular migration, emphasizing the need to safeguard the vital interests of both countries and rebuild trust following months of strained ties.
Furthermore, these talks coincided with Algeria’s increasingly prominent role in addressing various regional and international issues, exemplified by its active participation in the G20 summit in South Africa, adding further weight to its relations with Europe.
The turbulent developments in the Sahel region of Africa, particularly in Mali, were also high on the agenda. Algeria, as a key player in the region, faces shared challenges that transcend borders, requiring collaborative strategies with Spain.
