Madrid’s Isolation After Shift in its Position on Western Sahara

Western media reports said that Spain is now living in great isolation, after Algeria strengthened its relations with Italy and overcame the differences with France, which does not serve Madrid, especially in light of the current conditions marked by the Russian-Ukrainian war.

France Info stated that “Algeria has just put its threats into action by closing its market to Spanish products. In addition, the Algerian government announced that it would strengthen its relations with Italy to transport gas to Europe at the expense of Madrid. It also resumed contact with Paris”.

“Three weeks after Madrid decided to support the autonomy plan in Western Sahara, Algeria closed its market to Spanish products after recalling its ambassador in Madrid. Algeria gradually banned the import of Spanish agricultural products, starting with livestock, which affected the interests of Spanish cattle breeders, a decision that came after threatening to review all its trade agreements with Spain”, the news website added.

France Info referred to Algeria’s decision to raise the price of gas it exports to Spain and its assertion that it will instead strengthen its relations with Italy to supply gas to Europe, through the agreement signed on April 11, to increase gas shipments to Italy, which seeks to reduce its dependence on the Russian gas.

The same source talked about the visit of the head of the French diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, to Algeria last Wednesday, and his discussions with Algerian officials about increasing the gas exports to Europe, especially France, which in turn is looking to reduce dependence on Russian gas, and discussing stability in the Mediterranean, Africa and terrorism, and security challenges in the Sahel and Libya as well.

The website said that France is trying to give a new impetus to its relationship with Algeria after a serious diplomatic crisis.