Algeria and Spain have officially ended a 28-month diplomatic crisis, agreeing to restore normal relations. The rift began in March 2022 when Spain reversed its decades-long neutrality on Western Sahara, endorsing Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed territory.
The reconciliation follows a series of diplomatic contacts, culminating in a meeting between Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro SΓ‘nchez on the sidelines of the European Union-Mediterranean summit in late 2025. Both nations have now reinstated their ambassadors and agreed to resume suspended economic cooperation.
Spain's shift in 2022 was seen as a major victory for Moroccan diplomacy but severely strained ties with Algeria, a key supporter of the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara. Algeria had suspended its friendship treaty with Spain and halted banking operations.
The restoration of ties is driven by mutual economic interests, particularly in energy. Algeria is a significant supplier of natural gas to Spain, and both countries seek stability in the Mediterranean region. The agreement emphasizes a return to dialogue and cooperation, though underlying disagreements over Western Sahara's status remain unresolved.
