The European Commission has described the decision as extremely worrying. Following the suspension of trade relations with Spain and the subsequent announcement, Algerian authorities have been urged to turn back toward dialogue in pursuit of a diplomatic solution to the dispute between the two nations. The spokesperson for the Community Steering Committee, Eric Mamer, emphasized that the most important step is for Algeria to reverse its decision, underscoring the need for a constructive path forward. This sentiment reflects the EU’s expectation that partners engage through dialogue rather than unilateral moves. (European Commission)
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Nebila Massrali reiterated that Algeria, as a partner, has a pivotal role in regional stability. She described Algeria’s decision to suspend the 2002 Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborhood with Spain as a serious concern and urged the Algerian authorities to review the move. The message from Brussels stresses the necessity of a negotiated outcome and the value of Algeria maintaining solid, long-term cooperation with Spain as part of a broader regional framework. The EU hopes that dialogue and diplomatic channels will help resolve outstanding disputes, in the spirit of ongoing partnership. (European Commission)
The European Commission has offered to mediate and provide all necessary support to facilitate such talks, provided that discussions occur bilaterally between Madrid and Algiers. The spokespersons did not address whether a unilateral trade freeze would breach the EU Algeria partnership agreement signed in April 2002 and in force since September 2005. That agreement outlines the framework for cooperation across all areas, including trade, with the goal of achieving a comprehensive free trade area with the Mediterranean partner by 2020, including tariff removal. As of now, tariffs still in place will eventually be phased out under the agreement. (European Commission)
Trade, European competition
Trade falls under the EU’s remit, and trade relations are conducted with third countries rather than individual states. The position implies that any retaliation by Algeria would affect not only Spain but the wider European Union. Brussels faces a limited toolkit to exert commercial pressure on Algeria, with the World Trade Organization serving as one potential venue for dispute resolution and policy influence. (European Commission)
The latest available trade data position Algeria as the EU’s twenty-eighth largest trading partner, accounting for about 0.7 percent of total goods trade in 2020. The EU remains Algeria’s primary trading partner, representing roughly half of its international commerce in recent years. In 2020, total trade between the EU and Algeria reached 24.9 billion euros, with Algerian imports totaling approximately 11.4 billion euros, driven largely by mining products. EU exports to Algeria amounted to about 13.5 billion euros, including machinery and transport equipment, agricultural products, raw materials, and chemical products. (European Commission)