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Algeria Hints at Letting Go of Gas Pipeline Passing through Morocco

A gas pipeline in Algeria (File photo: Reuters)
A gas pipeline in Algeria (File photo: Reuters)
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Algeria Hints at Letting Go of Gas Pipeline Passing through Morocco

A gas pipeline in Algeria (File photo: Reuters)
A gas pipeline in Algeria (File photo: Reuters)

Algeria said Thursday that all the natural gas supplies in Spain are now provided through its gas pipeline connecting the two countries, bypassing Morocco, Algeria's official news agency APS reported.

The announcement, which comes two days after Algeria announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Morocco, suggests that Algiers will do without the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, which connects Europe via Morocco.

The Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines Mohamed Arkab made the announcement during a meeting with the Spanish ambassador.

Arkab affirmed: "Algeria's total commitment to cover all of Spain's natural gas supplies through the Medgaz," directly connecting the two countries, according to a ministry statement carried by APS.

Last week, before Algeria decided to "review" and then completely sever its relations with Morocco, Rabat said it was in favor of maintaining the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline, the contract of which is due to expire in October 2021.

"Even in the event of non-renewal of this contract which ends next October, Algeria will be able to supply Spain, but also respond to any additional demand from the Spanish market without any problem," announced Sonatrach CEO last June.

APS also criticized Morocco's announcement of its willingness to extend the gas agreement between the two countries and said that Rabat reaps a "great benefit" from the passage of the gas pipeline to Europe.

Algiers announced on Tuesday that it was severing diplomatic relations with Rabat, citing "relentless hostile acts perpetrated by Morocco against Algeria."

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9 EU Countries Call for Talks on Ending Trade with Israeli Settlements

Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
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9 EU Countries Call for Talks on Ending Trade with Israeli Settlements

Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)
Israeli soldiers take aim during a raid in the old town of Nablus city in the occupied West Bank on June 10, 2025. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP)

Nine European Union countries have called on the European Commission to come up with proposals on how to discontinue EU trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The letter, addressed to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, was signed by foreign ministers from Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

The EU is Israel's biggest trading partner, accounting about a third of its total goods trade. Two-way goods trade between the bloc and Israel stood at 42.6 billion euros ($48.91 billion) last year, though it was unclear how much of that trade involved settlements.

The ministers pointed to a July 2024 advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice, which said Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements there are illegal. It said states should take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that help maintain the situation.

"We have not seen a proposal to initiate discussions on how to effectively discontinue trade of goods and services with the illegal settlements," the ministers wrote.

"We need the European Commission to develop proposals for concrete measures to ensure compliance by the Union with the obligations identified by the Court," they added.

Israel's diplomatic mission to the EU did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said Europe must ensure trade policy is in line with international law.

"Trade cannot be disconnected from our legal and moral responsibilities," the minister said in a statement to Reuters.

"This is about ensuring that EU policies do not contribute, directly or indirectly, to the perpetuation of an illegal situation," he said.

The ministers' letter comes ahead of a meeting in Brussels on June 23 where EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the bloc's relationship with Israel.

Ministers are expected to receive an assessment on whether Israel is complying with a human rights clause in a pact governing its political and economic ties with Europe, after the bloc decided to review Israel's adherence to the agreement due to the situation in Gaza.