The change in Spain’s position towards Western Sahara could have an impact on the Relations of the country with Algeriaan important partner in Energy, Migration and Intelligence Mattersafter the disclosure of part of a Letter from the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, something that has sparked many positions against even within the executive branch.
The change over Western Sahara and Morocco
“The government tried Eliminate sources of stress that they could show up with their neighbor to the south and that they could have a negative impact on Spanish society, economy and politics“, emphasizes the researcher at the Barcelona Center for International Affairs (CIDOB), Eduard Soler. This change was not seen “with bad eyes” from Brussels. “The (European, EC) Commission welcomes everyone positive progress made by member countries in their relations with Moroccowhich can only be good,” said EC foreign affairs spokeswoman Nabila Massrali. The Spanish government could follow the strategy of other European countries, particularly France and Germany.
Algeria, source of natural gas in Spain
Although executive branch sources suggested that Algeria had been informed of Spain’s decision on Western Sahara, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares said this Monday that the Communication between Spain and Morocco is “bilateral”. and exclusive and that “diplomacy requires discretion.
2021, Algeria was the most important gas supplier for Spain, although currently it is the United States and demand from Russia has been reduced due to the war in Ukraine. The Cores Corporation found this in a study from December 2021 Africa accounts for 52% of natural gas imports per month in Spain, 26.9% in Algeria. “Algeria is a very important partner that provided Stability in the gas supplya partner with whom we are in constant dialogue and cooperation and who will continue to give us this security in the future,” said the First VicePresident of the Spanish Government, Nadia Calviño.