Today, Monday, Spain's Economy Minister Nadia Calpino called on Algeria to reverse the suspension of the friendship treaty and the trade embargo between the two countries, considering that this decision was not surprising due to Algeria's "bias" towards Russia.
Calpino said - in a radio interview - that her country hopes that Algeria will reconsider its decision taken last week to suspend the friendship treaty between the two countries, and lift the ban on commercial dealings with Spain, with the exception of oil and gas transactions.
Calpino confirmed that gas supplies from Algeria are continuing normally, and expressed confidence that there will be no interruption.
The Spanish Minister of Economy also said that Algeria's decision to suspend the bilateral friendship treaty with her country was not surprising.
Because Algeria is increasingly siding with Russia, as she puts it.
Calpino added that she noticed an increasing rapprochement between Algeria and Russia at the International Monetary Fund's spring meeting last April.
The Algerian decision came recently against the backdrop of Madrid's support for the autonomy plan in Western Sahara.
Algeria is one of the largest gas exporters to Spain.
According to Algerian customs, the volume of trade exchange between the two countries amounted to about $7 billion in 2019, and the trade balance tilts in Algeria's favour.
Spain is a member of the European Union and NATO, both of which are at the forefront of international opposition to Russia's war in Ukraine.