Severing of the Friendship Treaty between Spain and Algeria and suspension of trade relations with a Member State
14.6.2022
Question for written answer E-002130/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
José Ramón Bauzá Díaz (Renew)
The President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, has confirmed that the Friendship Treaty with Spain has been suspended and trade relations frozen, hence jeopardising Spanish exports to Algeria. Algeria is also a strategic country for energy supply to Spain and Europe.
This controversial issue must be addressed immediately by the Spanish Government and the Commission. More than EUR 2 billion worth of Spanish exports are at risk. At the same time, given the energy crisis, Spanish citizens and their industries are vulnerable to possible gas supply shortages and rising gas prices. In 2021, 42.8% of Spain's energy supplies came from Algeria, which is also the third leading energy supplier to the EU.
Having regard to Articles 17(2), 38 and Title IX of the Association Agreement between Algeria and the EU:
- 1.Has the Spanish Government informed the Commission whether it intends to refer this issue to the Association Council established under the Association Agreement?
- 2.If not, does the Commission intend to refer this issue to the Association Council? What precautionary measures will the Commission take to deal with a potential severing or non-renewal of the gas supply agreement between Algeria and Spain?