Spain Seeks Boost in Energy Cooperation with Algeria

Spain to increase natural gas imports from Algeria in order to curb the current dependency on the Russian supplies amid the Ukraine crisis.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo advised the media on a two-day visit that "Spain seeks to boost energy cooperation with Algeria, especially in natural gas."

"The crisis between Ukraine and Russia proved dependency of Europe on Russian natural gas, and it is time for us to discuss what we can do in terms of energy cooperation with our North African friends, including Algerians," he said, noting that Algeria "supplies Spain with 45 percent of its natural gas imports. "

Algeria outputs 152 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, 60 billion cubic meters of which are annually exported. It supplies the European Union with 14 percent of its natural gas needs. 

Garcia-Margallo further indicated that "Spain is the largest EU economic partner of Algeria," adding that his visit "aims at boosting bilateral cooperation through continuing dialogue."