Energy experts argue that the Ukrainian crisis has pushed the gas weapon to play a major role in building diplomatic relations between gas-producing countries and European countries that are seeking alternatives to Russian gas in every way.

Some European States, notably Italy and Spain, viewed Algerian gas as the cornerstone of life, while the Spanish Algerian crisis illustrated Algeria's strategy in its relations with States through the use of gas paper.

It is worth mentioning that the Spanish-Algerian crisis has not affected gas contracts, apart from Algeria's recent new agreement to increase its gas supply to Italy by 4 billion cubic metres, Sontarac has not raised the share of gas to any European country despite the many demands it has received.

Algeria had reassured its partners, including Spain, on the issue of gas, but in turn had upheld its right to review prices as stipulated in the conventions.

Algeria considers itself a State not directly concerned with the conflict that threatens the security and stability of the States of the European Union and is bound by the right of reservation in accordance with its established diplomatic principle since independence, since it has not been established that Algeria has cut off gas on its European partners for political reasons.

Nor has Russia made any observations to Algeria regarding its sovereign positions and decisions regarding its oil policy.

Algeria's natural gas reserves are estimated at 2.4 trillion cubic meters, and its gas exports to Europe are estimated at 34.1 billion cubic meters, equivalent to 11 percent of European consumption.