Berlin, Germany: On Friday, German President Frank Walter Steinmeier met Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at Bellevue Palace in Berlin to sign an important agreement. The two nations signed an energy partnership agreement, with the main focus of trade on hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The decision comes amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has forced European nations to quickly find alternative sources to cut energy ties with Kremlin and toughen the sanctions in order to weaken Russia’s economy.
The partnership will also focus on renewable energy sources in addition to LNG and hydrogen.
The partnership talks begin in March, when German Economy Minister Robert Habeck visited Qatar with RWE & Uniper officials to meet Hamad al-Thani to secure long-term LNG supply deals.
But three people familiar with the deal gave some contrasting information to Reuters, they said the agreement does not guarantee that long-term LNG deals will be concluded immediately. The Germans are reluctant to commit due to one condition in particular, which states that Qatar wants to secure a long term deal believed to be at least 20 years.
Currently, Russia is Germany's largest gas supplier, and Habeck is hustling to secure a deal to reduce Berlin's energy dependence on Moscow.
Source: Reuters
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