Butaflika to visit Spain; gas pipeline, sahara issues

Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika will shortly pay a work visit to Spain during which he will hold talks to strengthen bilateral relations.

Well-informed sources said that the main point in Butaflika's agenda pertains to issues relating to energy especially doubling the capacity of the Mediterranean- crossing pipe line which links oil production fields in the Algerian desert with Europe through Morocco.

At the political level, the measures to build the Arab Maghreb federation; partnership with Europe and the western Sahara question will be at the heart of talks between the two sides.

When the second oil pipe line will be operated, Spain will get 60% of its needs of gas from Algeria. A percentage permitted by the Spanish laws from one client.