Spain Affirms Commitment to “Excellent” Relations with Algeria Despite Postponed Visit
BY: Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS- After remaining silent for two days, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares finally commented on the postponement of his visit to Algeria, which was scheduled for last Monday. During an official visit yesterday, the Spanish foreign minister couldn’t avoid questions about Algeria. Regarding the postponed visit that was expected to seal the thaw in Algerian-Spanish relations, José Manuel Albares sought to downplay its significance.
“Postponements of foreign trips are things that sometimes happen,” he told reporters. The message is clear: the postponement should not be interpreted as a setback in relations between Algeria and Spain. From the Spanish authorities’ perspective, the approach since the beginning of the diplomatic rift caused by Spain’s unexpected alignment with Morocco’s position on Western Sahara autonomy remains the same. Algeria is a strategic partner and a neighbor with which excellent relations must be maintained.
Algeria, a “Friendly” Country and “Strategic” Partner for Spain
José Manuel Albares reiterated this sentiment, stating that “the most important thing is that we continue to work to have excellent relations with Algeria, like those we have with all our neighbors and all Arab countries.” This mirrors the discourse of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez last month. During a meeting with the diplomatic corps, Pedro Sanchez referred to Algeria as a “friendly country” and a “strategic partner.”
The Spanish Prime Minister used almost identical language to that of his foreign affairs minister yesterday. “Algeria is a friendly country, and we will continue to work to maintain relations with this strategic partner,” Sanchez declared to diplomats in January. It is clear that, from Madrid’s perspective, the relationship with Algeria is seen as a priority.
This is evident in Pedro Sanchez’s public statements in recent months, where he has refrained from reiterating support for the Moroccan autonomy plan, announced by Rabat in March 2022. This shift, acknowledged by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf himself, facilitated renewed contact with the Algerian side and paved the way for thawing diplomatic and commercial relations that had been at a standstill since March and June 2022, respectively.
Madrid is Committed to Full Restoration of Relations with Algeria
In September, alongside contacts with the Algerian side, Pedro Sanchez stated at the United Nations General Assembly that Spain was working towards a solution within the framework of UN resolutions and its Security Council, thereby returning to the neutrality that has always characterized Spain’s position on Western Sahara.
This positive change from the Algerian perspective led to the return of the Algerian ambassador to Madrid in November 2023. Beyond neighborhood and diplomatic relations, Albares was supposed to visit Algiers to formalize the thaw in commercial exchanges. However, this will have to wait for another time, even though the process is already underway, as Algeria has authorized since the beginning of 2024 the importation of poultry inputs and fresh red meats from Spain.
Algeria is an important market for the Spanish economy, but more importantly, it is the main supplier of energy. The liquefied gas purchased for the past two years costs significantly more than the gas Spain receives from Algeria via the pipeline. The meeting to mark the end of the rift between Algeria and Spain is postponed to a later date, yet to be determined.
In any case, on the Spanish side, everything is being done in terms of communication to emphasize Madrid’s commitment to “excellent” relations with Algeria.
About Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Recently honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
