Algeria Says It Respects All Gas Commitments With Spain

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Algeria mentioned it could respect all its gasoline commitments with Spain, days after its freezing of a two-decade-old treaty raised questions over power provides for the European nation.

The North African nation additionally known as on Spanish firms to satisfy their contractual obligations, in keeping with a International Ministry assertion.

Algeria on Wednesday mentioned it was suspending its freedom and cooperation pact with Spain over the European nation’s stance on Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony in Africa over which Morocco claims sovereignty. Algerian banks had been subsequently ordered to cease funds between Algeria and Spain.

The steps escalated a diplomatic disaster that started earlier this yr when Madrid reversed its longstanding coverage of neutrality and backed Morocco’s plan for restricted autonomy for Western Sahara, which has largely been underneath Rabat’s management since Spain left within the Nineteen Seventies. 

That helped finish a Spanish-Morocco spat, however in flip angered Algeria, which backs a motion in search of independence for the disputed territory.

Spain imports substantial quantities of pure gasoline from Algeria and after Wednesday’s announcement it wasn’t instantly clear if these flows could be affected.

Spain’s Naturgy Power Group SA on Thursday mentioned it was “enterprise as traditional” with Sonatrach Group, Algeria’s state power agency.