Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday said his country will not abandon its commitment to supply Spain with gas despite a diplomatic row with the European country over Western Sahara.
"We assure the Spanish friends, the Spanish people that Algeria will never abandon its commitment to supply Spain with gas under any circumstances," Tebboune said in an interview aired on state television late on Saturday.
Algeria informed its European economic partner last month that it was raising the price of gas. Against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Algeria approved Italy's request for increased liquefied gas supplies to compensate for the Russian gas.
Madrid expressed concerns over the impact of this decision on its share of gas, especially that Algeria clearly stated that it intends to review its partnership with Spain in the energy sector.
Algeria also summoned its ambassador to Madrid to show its discontent at the “sharp turn” taken by Spain in supporting Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. This stance was expressed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
“We demand the implementation of the international law for the return to normal in our relations with Spain,” Tebboune added.
He said that Spain shouldn’t forget its historical responsibility.
In another context, the president expressed intention to carry out partial amendments to the government in the coming days, based on the results of each sector. Yet, he did not reveal the ministers’ names.
Tebboune added that the amendment would take into consideration the ministers’ abidance by the instructions given by the president during cabinet meetings.
