Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic
Algeria has begun canceling its air services agreement with the UAE amid heightened tensions over the Gulf country’s foreign policy in the region.
Analysts believe Algeria’s move to terminate an air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates is primarily a diplomatic response to what Algiers sees as Emirati efforts to destabilize parts of Africa rather than an action intended to inflict immediate economic damage.
“It’s much more symbolic: a diplomatic statement at this point rather than a practical economic blow,” Intissar Fakir, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute who focuses on North Africa, told Al-Monitor.
On Saturday, Algeria began canceling its air services agreement with the UAE without explanation, amid heightened tensions over the Gulf country’s foreign policy in the region.
“Algeria has initiated procedures to terminate the air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates, signed in Abu Dhabi on 13 May 2013 and ratified by a presidential decree dated 30 December 2014," Algeria’s state-owned radio station, Radio Algeria, said on Saturday.
