Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) shakes hands with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Algiers, Algeria, on July 20, 2026. (Algerian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)
ALGIERS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday pledged to strengthen cooperation in energy and trade between the Mediterranean neighbors.
Speaking at a joint press conference after their talks, Tebboune called for stronger collaboration on combating irregular migration and urged Spain to play a constructive role within the European Union to further strengthen Algeria-EU economic relations, including by supporting the revival of the Algeria-EU Association Council, which has not convened since 2020.
The president also emphasized broadening energy cooperation beyond natural gas to include renewable energy, describing Algeria as a key partner in the Euro-Mediterranean energy transition.
For his part, Sanchez described Algeria as a strategic partner for Spain and reaffirmed Madrid's commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation across energy, industry, infrastructure, agriculture, education, culture, and migration management.
He noted Algeria's position as Spain's leading natural gas supplier and encouraged greater participation by Spanish companies in Algeria's economic diversification and industrial modernization.
Sanchez was accompanied by executives from four major Spanish energy companies, highlighting Madrid's focus on expanding energy cooperation with Algeria.
According to Spanish energy data, Algeria supplied 64,230 gigawatt-hours of natural gas and liquefied natural gas to Spain during the first half of 2026, accounting for 33.9 percent of the country's total gas imports.
Spanish media reported that Madrid is seeking to increase gas imports via the Medgaz subsea pipeline by around 10 percent while also expanding liquefied natural gas shipments from Algeria.
The Medgaz pipeline directly links Algeria to Spain, with an annual capacity of about 10.16 billion cubic meters. Algeria's state-owned Sonatrach holds a 51 percent stake in the pipeline. ■
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (R) meets with visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Algiers, Algeria, on July 20, 2026. (Algerian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)