The Maghreb country guaranteed to continue supplying gas and denied that commercial relations were frozen
MADRID, 10 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Government has shown its satisfaction with Algeria’s rectification of the freezing of trade relations after the European Union’s support for Spain in the open crisis with Algeria, with a statement from Brussels in which it warns that it is willing to “do against any type of coercive measure” that it takes against one of its Member States.
The government sources consulted by Europa Press have highlighted that the support provided by the European Union to Spain and its response has resulted in Algeria rectifying its decision to freeze commercial transactions, in addition to committing to continue complying with the agreements in the gas deliveries.
In this context, the European Union called this Friday for dialogue as the first option to resolve the crisis, although it expressed concern about Algiers breaking with the Treaty of Friendship signed with Spain and the decision to stop transactions between the two countries.
In a statement, signed by the High Representative for Foreign Policy of the EU, Josep Borrell, and the Economic Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, they indicated that they will evaluate in detail the consequences of these measures but consider, “in principle”, that may violate Algeria’s Association Agreement with the EU.
The bilateral relations of a third country with an individual Member State are also “part of the relations with the EU”, underlines the declaration, which also points out that “unity and solidarity” between the countries of the bloc is a key element in the defense of the common values ??and principles in their relations with third parties.
“Trade policy is an exclusive competence of the EU and the EU is prepared to face any type of coercive measure against one of the Member States,” settles the statement from the head of European diplomacy and the economic vice president of the Community Executive.
For its part, the Algerian mission to the European Union this Friday denounced “precipitation” on the part of the European Commission, by supporting Spain in the diplomatic crisis, although it denied that among the decisions adopted by the Maghreb country is to stop the current transactions with Spain. “It only exists in the minds of those who claim it and those who have been quick to stigmatize it,” he added.
Regarding the supply of gas to Spain, the Algerian diplomatic mission insisted that it is up to the commercial companies “to assume all their contractual commitments” and that it will comply with the agreements approved in this context.
Algeria announced on Wednesday the suspension of the good neighborly treaty with Spain, in force since 2002, while announcing the freezing of direct debits for foreign trade operations of products to and from Spain as of this Thursday. Algiers justifies the retaliation in the “unjustifiable” support of the Government of Pedro Sánchez for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara.
The EU is Algeria’s main trading partner, accounting for 46.7 percent of total Algerian transactions, according to European Commission data for 2019.
