Tebboune, Sánchez Reset Algeria-Spain Ties, Deepen Strategic Partnership and Celebrate Spain’s World Cup Triumph
Algeria and Spain pledged to deepen political dialogue, expand economic and energy cooperation, strengthen coordination on regional security and international issues, and prepare for a new phase in bilateral relations as Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez concluded a landmark visit to Algiers, where President Abdelmadjid Tebboune also congratulated Spain on its 2026 FIFA World Cup victory.
BY Dr. Hana Saada
ALGIERS – Algeria and Spain have formally launched a new phase in their bilateral relationship following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s official working and friendship visit to Algiers, where both countries committed to strengthening political dialogue, expanding economic cooperation and deepening coordination on regional and international issues.
The visit—the first by the Spanish premier to Algeria since 2020—marked a significant milestone in the normalization of relations after the diplomatic tensions that emerged in 2022. It concluded with a shared commitment to rebuild trust, revive institutional cooperation and broaden strategic partnerships across energy, investment, security and renewable energy.
Sánchez concludes visit after high-level meetings
Pedro Sánchez departed Algiers on Monday afternoon after holding talks with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and senior Algerian officials.
At Houari Boumediene International Airport, he was seen off by Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Attaf, Minister of State for Energy Mohamed Arkab, Presidential Diplomatic Adviser Amar Abba and Algeria’s ambassador to Spain, Abdelfettah Daghmoum.
Earlier in the day, Sánchez began his visit by laying a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial (Maqam Echahid), where he observed a minute of silence in tribute to the martyrs of Algeria’s War of Independence. He was later officially received by President Tebboune at the Presidency, where the two leaders first held one-on-one talks before chairing expanded discussions involving members of their respective delegations.
The visit also included meetings with Spanish business leaders accompanying the prime minister and participation in an Algerian-Spanish business forum aimed at strengthening commercial and investment ties.
Tebboune: Visit opens new horizons for partnership
Speaking during a joint press conference, President Tebboune described Sánchez’s visit as a “turning point” that reflects the shared political will to elevate bilateral cooperation.
He said both countries are determined to inject new momentum into their partnership ahead of the eighth Algeria-Spain High-Level Meeting scheduled for October.
“We are deeply satisfied with these fruitful discussions at a time when the longstanding relations between our two countries are experiencing growing dynamism,” Tebboune said.
The Algerian president stressed that renewed political confidence should encourage greater private-sector engagement and unlock fresh investment opportunities.
He expressed hope that Spain would use its position within the European Union to support more balanced Algeria-EU economic relations and help reactivate the Algeria-EU Association Council, which has not met since 2020.
Spain reaffirms Algeria as strategic partner
For his part, Sánchez described Algeria as “a strategic partner and a friendly country,” stressing Madrid’s determination to deepen bilateral cooperation.
He noted that the two countries remain bound by the Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighbourliness and emphasized that political dialogue provides the foundation for broader cooperation.
The Spanish leader said preparations had already begun for the upcoming bilateral summit, which is expected to strengthen cooperation in security, migration management, infrastructure, innovation and cultural exchanges.
He also thanked Algeria for selecting Spain as the guest of honour at this year’s Algiers International Fair, describing it as another symbol of renewed confidence between the two countries.
Energy remains cornerstone of cooperation
Energy featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides highlighting the strategic importance of their longstanding partnership.
President Tebboune reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to ensuring Europe’s energy security while expressing readiness to broaden cooperation into renewable energy, hydrogen and other sectors supporting the energy transition.
Sánchez described Algeria as a reliable partner, recalling that it became Spain’s leading supplier of natural gas in recent years.
He stressed that bilateral cooperation now extends beyond hydrocarbons to include innovation, digital infrastructure and the transition toward cleaner energy.
The visit came as Spain seeks to increase Algerian gas imports through the Medgaz pipeline and liquefied natural gas deliveries.
Several major Spanish energy companies—including Naturgy, Repsol, Enagás and Moeve—participated in the accompanying business delegation, underscoring the strategic importance of Algeria for Spain’s energy security.
Shared positions on regional crises
The two leaders also exchanged views on major regional and international developments.
President Tebboune said discussions covered the situation in the Middle East, tensions in the Gulf region, Western Sahara, Libya and the Sahel.
He reiterated Algeria’s longstanding position that political dialogue and peaceful negotiations remain the only viable means of resolving international conflicts in accordance with international law.
Both countries agreed to continue consultations and support United Nations-led and multilateral efforts aimed at peacefully resolving regional crises.
Regarding Palestine, Tebboune praised Spain’s “honourable position” on the Palestinian cause.
Sánchez, in turn, highlighted the strategic convergence between Algeria and Spain, describing Algeria as a gateway to Africa and a key contributor to regional stability, particularly in the Sahel, while portraying Spain as Europe’s southern gateway.
Security, migration and judicial cooperation
Beyond economics, both governments pledged to reinforce cooperation in combating irregular migration, organized crime, human trafficking and corruption.
President Tebboune called for closer judicial cooperation, particularly concerning asset recovery and mutual legal assistance in corruption-related investigations.
He thanked Spanish authorities for their cooperation in recovering embezzled Algerian assets abroad and expressed hope for continued collaboration.
The two sides also discussed facilitating the movement of people while maintaining close security coordination.
Business leaders explore investment opportunities
As part of the visit, President Tebboune received executives from leading Spanish companies operating across energy, infrastructure and other strategic sectors.
The meeting, attended by senior Algerian ministers, focused on expanding industrial partnerships and identifying new investment opportunities.
Spanish business leaders expressed strong interest in Algeria’s economic reforms and the country’s growing investment potential, particularly in manufacturing, infrastructure, renewable energy and industrial development.
Tebboune congratulates Spain on World Cup triumph
At the start of the joint press conference, President Tebboune congratulated Spain on winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He praised the Spanish national team’s performance, describing the title as well deserved and commending the country’s sporting achievements.
Relations enter a new chapter
The visit capped months of steadily improving diplomatic contacts following the restoration of bilateral dialogue.
The return of Algeria’s ambassador to Madrid, the resumption of direct flights, Spain’s participation as guest of honour at the Algiers International Fair and the latest high-level political exchanges have all signalled the normalization of relations.
Analysts view the renewed partnership as extending beyond traditional energy cooperation toward a broader strategic framework encompassing industrial investment, technology transfer, renewable energy, infrastructure, trade, regional security and Mediterranean stability.
With preparations now underway for the next Algeria-Spain High-Level Meeting later this year, both governments have signalled their intention to transform renewed political confidence into long-term economic and strategic cooperation built on shared interests and mutual benefit.
— 𝐄𝐍𝐃 —
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