Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Algeria on July 20, 2026, for talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. The visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in energy cooperation, as Spain seeks to diversify its gas supplies following the Ukraine conflict.
During the meeting, President Tebboune reiterated Algeria's position on the Western Sahara issue, calling for a resolution based on United Nations resolutions. However, Spanish officials indicated that the primary focus of the visit was on economic and energy partnerships, including the potential for increased Algerian gas exports to Spain.
Spain has historically maintained a neutral stance on Western Sahara, but in 2022, it shifted to support Morocco's autonomy plan, causing a diplomatic rift with Algeria. The current visit appears to be an attempt to balance relations without reopening the Sahrawi dispute.
No major agreements were announced, but both sides expressed commitment to enhancing trade and energy ties. Algeria is a key gas supplier to Spain, and the visit underscores the strategic importance of this relationship amid global energy market volatility.
