The Spanish government has denounced the maneuvers of the Algerian authorities who have proceeded to the unilateral blocking of trade operations in both directions and violated the association agreement with the European Union. The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, confirmed on Thursday that there was indeed a blockade of trade operations by Algeria and that each time a case is detected, it is reported to the European Commission. “Despite Algerian statements claiming that it was ill-intentioned fantasies on the part of Spain, there is indeed a blockage of trade operations,” said Albares told the Spanish national radio. Besides, the agreement does not set the trade relations between the two countries, since this is a competence of the EU, she said. The Algerian unilateral act constitutes “a violation of the EU-Algeria Association Agreement”, the two senior European officials said, making it clear that the European Union will “oppose any type of coercive measures applied against a member state of the EU.”

Source: The North Africa Journal July 01, 2022 14:43 UTC