Relationship dossier
Algeria
United Arab Emirates
Relationship assessment
Bilateral engagement continues amid Algerian concerns over UAE policy and regional influence.
Algeria toward United Arab Emirates
-10Algerian officials publicly accused the UAE of interference and raised concerns about its regional role, contributing to diplomatic strain. Algeria also engaged in bilateral agreements with the UAE during a 2023 high-level visit.
United Arab Emirates toward Algeria
+5The UAE signed bilateral agreements and memoranda with Algeria during a 2023 high-level visit. Its 2020 consulate opening in Laayoune supported Morocco’s position on Western Sahara, a policy opposed by Algeria and a source of bilateral friction.
Overall relationship
-5The relationship combines formal bilateral engagement and agreements with significant political friction over the UAE’s regional role and its position on Western Sahara. The extent to which cooperation offsets these disputes is unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Algeria and the United Arab Emirates maintain bilateral engagement, including agreements and memoranda signed during a 2023 high-level visit. Relations have also faced public strain: Algerian officials accused the UAE of interference, while the UAE’s 2020 consulate opening in Laayoune aligned with Morocco’s position on Western Sahara, opposed by Algeria. The breadth and implementation of bilateral cooperation are unclear.
Areas of tension
- Algerian allegations that the UAE interfered in Algeria’s affairs.
- The UAE’s position on Western Sahara, including its consulate opening in Laayoune, conflicts with Algeria’s position.
Key developments
The UAE opened a consulate in Laayoune, aligning with Morocco’s position on Western Sahara, which Algeria opposes.
A high-level visit to Algeria was accompanied by the signing of bilateral agreements and memoranda with the UAE.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of agreements signed during the 2023 visit are unclear.
- The UAE’s response to Algerian allegations of interference is unclear.