Algeria and Spain: A Rapprochement That Confirms Algeria’s Strength, Not Isolation

Contrary to claims made by certain Moroccan media outlets, Algeria’s rapprochement with Spain is not an attempt to break out of regional isolation. Instead, Algeria is strengthening its position as a key regional power, while it is Spain that is seeking to restore relations with its strategic partner after suffering significant economic losses due to Algeria’s sanctions.

In this article, we will use facts and sources to demonstrate that Algeria is in a position of strength in this renewed relationship and that it is actually its adversaries, not Algeria, who find themselves isolated on the international stage.

1. Algeria: A Key Player in the Mediterranean and Africa

1.1. A Strategic Energy Supplier for Europe

Algeria possesses the 10th largest proven natural gas reserves in the world and is Africa’s top gas exporter. Its importance has grown even further due to the energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine.

• Italy signed a major agreement with Sonatrach in 2022 to increase its gas imports from Algeria and reduce its dependence on Russian supplies (Source: Reuters, "Italy secures more Algerian gas as it seeks to cut Russia reliance," 2022).
• Germany has also expressed interest in strengthening its partnership with Algeria in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and green hydrogen (Source: Deutsche Welle, "Germany eyes Algeria as key energy partner," 2023).

In 2023, Algeria became Spain’s primary natural gas supplier, surpassing the United States. By September 2023, 28.3% of Spain’s gas imports came from Algeria, compared to 23.2% from the U.S. (Source: Enagas, Spain’s gas network operator).

These figures show that Algeria is not isolated but rather a highly sought-after partner among European powers.

1.2. Algeria’s Growing Leadership in Africa

Far from being marginalized, Algeria plays a central role in the Sahel and Africa:

• Mediation in Mali: Since the Algiers Peace Agreement of 2015, Algeria has been regarded as a key mediator in the Malian conflict (Source: Jeune Afrique, "Mali: l’Algérie relance la médiation avec les groupes armés," 2023).
• Influence in Libya: Algeria maintains dialogue with all factions involved in the Libyan conflict and advocates for inclusive political solutions.

Additionally, Algeria has reinforced its cooperation with the African Union and was among the leading supporters of the AU’s accession to BRICS in 2023 (Source: African Union, "AU’s role in BRICS expansion," 2023).

2. Spain: A Forced Return to Algeria Under Economic Pressure

2.1. The Impact of Algerian Sanctions on Spain’s Economy

In response to Spain’s 2022 decision to support Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, Algeria suspended its Treaty of Friendship with Spain and froze all trade transactions outside the energy sector.

• Within a year, Spanish exports to Algeria plummeted by 85%, falling from €2.3 billion in 2021 to only €400 million in 2022 (Source: Spain’s National Institute of Statistics - INE).
• Several key Spanish industries, including agribusiness, construction materials, and pharmaceuticals, suffered significant losses.
• The Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) pressured the government to restore trade with Algeria (Source: El País, "Los empresarios piden a Sánchez que reabra el comercio con Argelia," 2023).

Faced with these economic consequences, Spain had no choice but to adjust its position and discreetly seek to normalize relations with Algeria.

2.2. A Normalization Process on Algeria’s Terms

The first signs of reconciliation came from Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who has made several conciliatory statements towards Algeria in recent months.

During his meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf at the G20 summit in 2024, the discussions focused on economic and security matters, with no mention of the Western Sahara issue. This indicates that Spain is no longer trying to impose its stance on this matter, further proving that it is Madrid that seeks to mend ties—not Algeria (Source: El Confidencial, "España y Argelia retoman el diálogo pero evitan la cuestión del Sáhara," 2024).

3. Isolation Affects Algeria’s Adversaries, Not Algeria Itself

While Moroccan media attempts to portray Algeria as isolated, the reality suggests otherwise. It is Algeria’s adversaries who face real diplomatic struggles:

• Morocco is struggling to gain broad international support for its position on Western Sahara: Despite backing from certain countries like Israel and the United States, the UN and the African Union continue to uphold the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination (Source: UN Security Council Report, October 2023).
• The Algeria-Russia alliance raises concerns among its rivals: In 2023, Algeria signed a $12 billion military agreement with Moscow, reinforcing its role as a major military power in North Africa (Source: The Moscow Times, "Russia and Algeria deepen military cooperation," 2023).
• Algeria-France relations remain tense, but Paris cannot afford to alienate Algiers: Despite disputes over colonial history and immigration, French President Emmanuel Macron has made multiple efforts to restore relations with Algeria (Source: Le Monde, "Macron et Tebboune veulent tourner la page des tensions," 2023).

Conclusion: Algeria Sets the Pace

The rapprochement between Algeria and Spain is a direct result of Algeria’s economic pressure on Madrid, rather than an attempt to break out of alleged isolation. Algeria continues to establish itself as a key power, both in energy supply and in regional diplomacy.

In reality, it is Spain that needs Algeria, not the other way around. The parties that find themselves in a weaker position are not in Algiers, but among those who mistakenly believed Algeria would retreat from its strategic principles and decisions.