European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has informed Algerian officials about EU's desire to find “an urgent solution” to the dispute between Algeria and Spain.
Meanwhile, the Non-Aligned Movement plans on holding a meeting in Algeria next summer, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced Sunday.
Tebboune met with Borrell at the Presidential Palace, the Algerian presidency revealed in a statement without giving further details.
Meanwhile, political sources said that Borrell stressed the significance of resuming ties between EU member Spain and Algeria.
Algeria has expressed objection over Madrid’s bias to a Moroccan proposal for autonomy in Western Sahara, and decided to freeze trade with Spain.
Discussions between Borrell and Tebboune covered the Western Sahara dispute, and the Palestinian cause, political sources said.
They added that the Algerian President affirmed that Algiers stands for the right of Sahara residents to determine their fate through a UN-organized referendum and the right of the Palestinians to establish their state.
The talks also tackled the situation in Libya and Mali.
Borrell discussed this matter thoroughly with Prime Minister Aamene Benabderrahman during their meeting on Sunday.
The EU official told Algeria’s El Khabar newspaper that the EU countries view as “unfortunate” the “serious obstacles” that Algeria has been imposing since June 2022 on trade with Spain. The obstacles exempt gas exports.
“This situation is quite detrimental to the association agreement and serves no one’s interest,” he remarked.
In another context, Tebboune announced during a press conference with Uganda's President that the Non-Aligned Movement countries would hold a meeting in Algeria this summer.
Algeria and Uganda signed two agreements and five memorandums of understanding (MoUs).
Tebboune affirmed the preparedness of Algeria to exchange expertise with Uganda in energy, tourism, food industries, higher education, and scientific research.
The President further congratulated Museveni for the oil discoveries in his country which could “contribute to reinforcing the partnership between the two countries in energy”.
For his part, Museveni stressed that Algeria is a “reliable partner”.
He noted that there is a possibility of launching cooperation projects in petrochemicals, fuels, and refining stations, especially in Uganda following the oilfield discoveries.
