Discover how Algeria is mending fences with Spain, appointing a new ambassador to Madrid, and moving past the diplomatic crisis that once strained their bilateral relations. Stay informed with DZWatch.net.
Algeria and Spain Move Beyond Diplomatic Crisis with Renewed Ties
In a significant development, Algeria has decided to turn the page on its diplomatic crisis with Spain, a move that follows the Iberian government’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in March last year. This gesture has contributed to the resolution of an unprecedented period of tension with Morocco and has rekindled the warmth and harmony in the relations between the two nations.
New Ambassador Signals Resolution of Dispute
According to Algerian and Spanish sources, the Algerian government has resolved to send a new ambassador to Madrid following the recall of the previous envoy for consultations. This decision came after a letter from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to King Mohammed VI, which affirmed that Morocco’s autonomy plan is a “more serious, credible, and realistic” basis for resolving the Western Sahara conflict.
The same sources indicated that the Spanish government is expected to accept the credentials of the new Algerian ambassador soon, allowing him to assume his position in Madrid. This step, as per the sources, would officially mark the end of the dispute that led to the withdrawal of the ambassador and the suspension of the friendship treaty three months later, effectively freezing trade between the two countries.
Impact on Trade and Diplomatic Relations
As a result of the diplomatic standoff, Spanish exports to the Maghreb region plummeted, significantly affecting the income of businessmen with interests in Algeria. Despite the tensions, the Algerian authorities, particularly from the Mouradia, ensured the continuous supply of gas to Spain, a fact that the Iberian government highlighted throughout this period and from which Morocco greatly benefited through re-exportation.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune maintained a highly critical tone towards Spain, especially towards Sánchez and his Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares. In response, the Spanish government has consistently deferred criticism, emphasizing its desire to maintain “the best relations” with Algeria and seeking discretion in its efforts to redirect the diplomatic relationship.
In this context, the President of the Algerian-Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jamal Eddine Bouabdallah, stated to the Algerian newspaper “Tousser l’Algérie” that “there were contacts between the two parties in September in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.” This point, however, has not been confirmed by the Spanish Foreign Ministry, which has not commented on the arrival of the new ambassador.
With these developments, Algeria and Spain are poised to embark on a path of restored diplomacy and strengthened bilateral ties, signaling a new chapter in their shared history.
Stay updated with the latest on Algerian-Spanish relations with DZWatch.net, your premier source for diplomatic news.
