Spanish Foreign Minister expected in Algiers, signaling thaw in relations

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares is expected to visit Algiers on Monday, February 12th, at the invitation of the Algerian government, according to a press release issued by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This trip is seen as a potential turning point in relations between the two countries, which have been strained since the spring of 2022.

This development follows a series of positive steps. In October 2023, Algeria appointed a new ambassador to Madrid. More recently, the Algerian government lifted the economic sanctions imposed on Spain in response to its support for Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf attributed the thawing of relations to Spain's supposed «revision» of its position on Western Sahara. He cited statements made by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in March 2022 and the April 7th Moroccan-Spanish Joint Declaration as evidence of this shift.

Attaf stressed that Spain, as the former colonial power in Western Sahara, «assumes particular responsibilities» towards the territory. He emphasized the importance of Spain's stance on the issue for Algeria.