Algerian Mission to the International Fair of Salamanca

An Algerian trade mission has been invited and is expected to attend the International Livestock Fair of Salamanca, which will take place in the first half of September. Trade delegations from Asia, Ibero-America, and the Maghreb will also participate.

The presence of the Algerian delegation from September 5 to 9 coincides with the date of the presidential elections scheduled for September 7. Algeria has chosen to downplay the meeting and is practically keeping it quiet.

Bilateral economic and trade relations between Spain and Algeria have hit their lowest point since June 8, 2022, when Algeria unilaterally suspended the Treaty of Friendship and froze commercial activities between the two countries for political reasons.

The Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighborliness, and Cooperation between Algeria and Spain was signed in Algiers on October 8, 2002, by the President of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, and the Spanish Prime Minister, José María Aznar. It is the most important agreement linking the two countries.

However, the drastic reduction in economic and trade relations has not prevented major Spanish companies, mainly those operating in the hydrocarbons sector, from remaining present in the Algerian market. Algeria continues to be the main supplier of natural gas to Spain, accounting for 29.3% of total imports, ahead of the United States with 20.9% and Russia with 20%.

PEDRO CANALES.✍🏼