Madrid/Algiers, February 24, 2025 – Algerian Interior Minister Ibrahim Murad embarked on an official visit to Spain on Monday, marking the first such visit by an Algerian government official since a 2022 diplomatic fallout between the two nations.
According to a statement from Algeria’s Interior Ministry, Minister Murad is scheduled to hold talks with Spanish officials to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation. The visit follows a prolonged period of strained relations triggered in 2022, when Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sent a letter to Moroccan King Mohamed VI supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. That action led Algeria to suspend various forms of cooperation with Spain, resulting in a near cessation of Algerian imports from the country, even as exports of natural gas, oil, and petroleum products continued.
The current visit is part of a broader process of rapprochement between Algeria and Spain. Last week, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf met with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa—the first such meeting since the crisis erupted in 2022.
The improvement in Algerian-Spanish relations comes at a time when Algeria’s ties with France remain strained. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently warned of an “irreparable rupture” in relations with France, which, along with other actions, has further complicated regional dynamics. French President Emmanuel Macron has also drawn criticism from Algeria for expressing support for Morocco’s Western Sahara autonomy proposal.
The Western Sahara issue has long been a contentious point between Algeria and Morocco. Originating in 1975 after Spain withdrew from the region, the conflict between Morocco and the pro-independence Polisario Front led to decades of instability, culminating in a ceasefire agreement in 1991. While Morocco advocates for extensive autonomy under its sovereignty, the Polisario Front calls for a referendum on self-determination - a stance strongly supported by Algeria, which hosts refugees from the territory.
As Minister Murad meets with Spanish counterparts, observers see the visit as a significant step toward mending ties and restoring cooperation between Algeria and Spain after years of diplomatic tension.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protests, according to rights activists, as monitors reported a slight return of intern...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that allied supplies of air defence systems and missiles were insufficient as Russia prepares n...
Mongolia has introduced a new decree to strengthen traditional Mongolian medicine and expand its international profile....
Poland plans to expand its armed forces to 500,000 by 2039, including 300,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists, officials said Friday. The en...
Algeria's parliament has unanimously passed a law declaring France's colonisation of the North African state a crime, and demanding an apology and reparations.
Mali's Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maiga, sharply criticised France and Algeria on Tuesday (11 November) for allegedly supporting terrorist groups operating in the Sahel region. His comments came during the opening of the Bamako Military Exhibition (BAMEX).
As part of his official visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov held separate meetings with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and President of the National People’s Assembly Ibrahim Boughali.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune appointed Sifi Ghrieb as prime minister and Mourad Adjal as energy minister on Sunday, following a cabinet reshuffle.
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
A railway power outage in Tokyo disrupted the morning commute for roughly 673,000 passengers on Friday (16 January) as two main lines with some of the world's busiest stations were halted after reports of a fire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that the long-awaited “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction has officially been formed.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
More than 3,000 people have been killed in Iran’s nationwide protests, according to rights activists, as monitors reported a slight return of internet connectivity following an eight-day shutdown.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that allied supplies of air defence systems and missiles were insufficient as Russia prepares new large-scale attacks.
Poland plans to expand its armed forces to 500,000 by 2039, including 300,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists, officials said Friday. The enlarged force would feature a new high-readiness reserve unit.
Kyiv is facing its most severe wartime energy crisis, with the capital receiving only about half the electricity it needs, Mayor Vitali Klitschko told Reuters on Friday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment