Algeria initiates the cancellation of its air services agreement with the UAE

Algeria has initiated the cancellation of its air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which was signed in Abu Dhabi in May 2013, according to state media reports on Saturday.

The announcement did not provide an immediate rationale for the action, yet Algerian media have been vocally critical of the UAE in recent months, alleging that it seeks to create regional discord.

“Algeria has begun the process to terminate the air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, which was signed in Abu Dhabi on 13 May 2013 and ratified by a presidential decree on 30 December 2014,” reported the state-owned radio of the North African nation. “According to Article 22 of the agreement, the Emirati side must receive formal notification of the termination via diplomatic channels.” The Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will be informed to carry out the required procedures within the organization.
No immediate comment was provided by the UAE.

In October of the previous year, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune remarked that his nation’s relations with all Gulf states were cordial, with the exception of one country, subtly alluding to the UAE.

He referred to his relationships with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar as “brotherly”.

He charged the unnamed country with interfering in Algeria’s internal matters and attempting to create instability.