Algeria: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, and Executive Vice President, Valdis Dombrovskis, on Algeria’s latest measures regarding Spain
The decision taken by Algeria to suspend the Treaty of friendship and good neighbourly relations signed with Spain in 2002 is of utmost concern. We are assessing the implications of the Algerian actions, including the instruction given to the financial institutions to stop transactions between the two countries, which upfront appear to be in violation of the EU-Algeria Association Agreement, in particular in the area of trade and investment. This would lead to a discriminatory treatment of an EU Member State and adversely affect the exercise of the Union’s rights under the Agreement.
We are in close contact with the Spanish Government and reaching out to the Algerian authorities to rapidly clarify the situation.
Bilateral relations of third countries with individual EU Member States are part of their relations with the EU. Unity and solidarity within the EU remain key to uphold our interests and values in our relations with all countries. Moreover, trade policy is an exclusive EU competence, and the EU is ready to stand up against any type of coercive measures applied against an EU Member State. However, the EU continues to favour dialogue first to solve controversies.
Algeria is an important partner for the EU in the Mediterranean and a key actor for regional stability. We trust that, in the name of our strong and long-term partnership, a swift solution will be found to fully re-establish commercial and investment relations.
We are ready and keen to support these efforts.
