Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez heads to Algeria to end Western Sahara‑related diplomatic rift

Pedro Sánchez will travel to Algiers on 20 July, marking his first official visit to Algeria since the diplomatic crisis that began in 2022 when Spain abandoned its long‑standing neutral stance on Western Sahara and backed Morocco’s autonomy plan. Algeria, a staunch supporter of the Polisario Front, responded by suspending the 2002 friendship treaty and imposing trade restrictions, though gas supplies via the Medgaz pipeline continued.

The visit aims to fully normalize bilateral relations. Sánchez is scheduled to meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, discuss a forthcoming high‑level summit, and take part in a bilateral business forum. Accompanying him will be senior executives of Spanish energy companies Naturgy, Repsol, Moeve and Enagás, underscoring the historic gas partnership – Algeria remains Spain’s main gas supplier, providing roughly a third of its imports. Discussions include a possible capacity boost for the Medgaz line.

Diplomatic thaw has progressed since late 2023 with the restoration of ambassadors and the gradual removal of commercial barriers. Earlier this year, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares publicly defended Algeria and condemned remarks by former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy that had strained ties. Sánchez’s Algiers trip is presented as the decisive step toward completing the reconciliation process.