Did Spain do the right thing to strengthen its cooperation with Algeria, seen as “an unpredictable regime which has lost all credibility, even in the eyes of the Algerians themselves”? This is the question a Spanish newspaper asks itself.
Spanish public opinion has criticized the recent choices of the government of Pedro Sánchez with regard to its relations with Morocco, a friendly country with which it maintains partnerships in the economic fields and in the fight against terrorism and migratory flows. .
“Despite a strong and mutually beneficial partnership with Morocco, the Spanish authorities have decided in recent months to take a diametrically opposed decision. On the basis of outdated approaches, under the influence of certain persistent anti-Moroccan dark forces, Spain now seems to be focusing its Maghreb policy on a new coalition with Algeria ”, La Razon analyzes in an article titled“ Strategic errors from Spain to the Maghreb ”.
For the Spanish daily, this change in foreign policy is an “inappropriate and disastrous decision for Spain”, which should pay a heavy price. To argue this thesis, the newspaper refers to the Ghali affair, which splashed out on senior Spanish officials, not to mention the complacency shown by the Spanish authorities in the face of the influx of migrants from Algeria.
The newspaper also criticizes the non-renewal of the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline by Algeria “whose unpredictability and impulsiveness make it an unreliable partner, thus compromising its economic competitiveness and weakening the purchasing power of the Spaniards”. He added: “How do you explain to the Spanish people and their driving forces the cost of unfortunate decisions? It must be remembered that a change of mind is seldom a good approach to diplomacy, especially when it rests on a precarious foundation. “
