Pedro Sanchez Visits Algiers to Restore Spain-Algeria Ties

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited Algiers on July 20, 2026, to formalize the end of a diplomatic crisis between Spain and Algeria. The rift began in 2022 after Spain supported Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, prompting Algeria to suspend a friendship treaty, recall its ambassador, and restrict trade.

Welcomed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the El Mouradia Palace, Sanchez arrived with senior energy executives to discuss investment, migration, and energy cooperation. The visit follows Algeria's reactivation of the Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness and Cooperation in March 2026. To further cement the rapprochement, President Tebboune announced preparations for the 8th session of the Algerian-Spanish High-Level Meeting in October.

Energy security served as a primary driver for the talks, as Algeria is currently Spain's largest natural gas supplier, providing 33.9 percent of Spain's total gas imports in the first half of 2026. Spain aims to increase imports via the Medgaz subsea pipeline by approximately 10 percent and expand liquefied natural gas shipments. President Tebboune urged Spain to advocate for the revival of the Algeria-EU Association Council and proposed expanding cooperation into renewable energy. This diplomatic shift aligns with Algeria's broader strategy to restructure foreign policy toward European partners like Germany and Italy while relations with France deteriorate.