Sánchez lands in Algiers to end four-year diplomatic freeze, seeks gas boost amid Hormuz tensions

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez landed in Algiers on Monday for a tightly scheduled visit meant to formally close the diplomatic crisis that erupted in 2022 over Western Sahara. The trip, which follows months of quiet normalisation, places energy security and a new gas supply agreement at the centre of the reset.

A four-year freeze

The rift opened in March 2022 when Madrid endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for the disputed territory. Algeria immediately recalled its ambassador, suspended the bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourliness and Cooperation, and froze most trade outside of gas and energy products. The standoff persisted until recent months, when political contacts resumed and commercial flows began to recover. Today's visit is the culmination of that thaw.

The Algiers meeting

Sánchez was greeted at Houari Boumediene International Airport by Algerian Prime Minister Saifi Ghrieb. He then travelled to the El Mouradia presidential palace, where President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hosted an official welcome ceremony with full honours. After the traditional photo opportunity, the two leaders held talks, with expanded delegations from both governments joining later. A floral tribute at the Martyrs' Monument preceded the meeting. A joint declaration and an official lunch were scheduled to follow.

Energy and business push

The Spanish government is seeking to increase gas imports through the Medgaz pipeline, the only direct link after the closure of the Morocco-routed pipeline in 2020, as well as through liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. The push comes amid global market tensions linked to the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition Sara Aagesen chaired a meeting with executives from Repsol, Enagás, Moeve, Técnicas Reunidas, Aqualia, Sacyr Agua, CAF, GB Foods, Vicky Foods, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Indra, Airbus, and Sisener Sigma at the Spanish ambassador's residence in Algiers.

Spain seeks to strengthen its relations with its neighbours and historic partners such as Algeria. After difficult years, relations are in a new stage, with the reactivation of the Treaty of Friendship, the normalisation of contacts and the restoration of trade flows.

Aagesen stressed that Spanish companies are well placed to invest, create jobs, and develop joint projects in Algeria, pointing to opportunities in water, infrastructure, transport, food, defence, and technology beyond the energy sector.

Noticeably absent from the business delegation was Naturgy, Spain's largest importer of Algerian gas and a shareholder alongside state-owned Sonatrach in the Medgaz pipeline. The company's president, Francisco Reynés, and his team were unable to travel after a technical fault grounded their chartered aircraft at Barcelona airport. Company sources confirmed the incident, saying there was no time to arrange a replacement aircraft.

World Cup diplomacy

Sánchez arrived in Algiers directly from New York, where he had attended Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final the previous evening. The late arrival forced adjustments to the day's agenda. During the meeting, Tebboune congratulated Sánchez on the win, and the Spanish prime minister presented his host with a red national team shirt printed with Tebboune's name and the number 26.

Sánchez is due to receive the Spanish squad at the Moncloa Palace later on Monday, after the players visit King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía at the Zarzuela Palace.

What comes next

Spanish officials said the two governments expect to sign an agreement to expand gas supply. The visit is also intended to unlock broader economic cooperation that was severely curtailed by the political estrangement. With the friendship treaty reactivated and institutional contacts normalised, both sides are signalling that the chapter opened in 2022 is now closed.