Germany and Qatar agree on a long-term energy partnership. That should make Germany less dependent on Russia, says German Economy Minister Robert Habeck.
Habeck spoke after meeting Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Energy Minister Saad Sharida al-Kaabi. According to the German minister, the emir could offer more than Germany had expected. The details will now be worked out further between companies including Thyssenkrupp, Bayer, Siemens Energy and RWE.
According to Habeck, the deal is not only about gas supplies, but also about the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Habeck speaks of a step towards “Putin-free” energy in Germany.
human rights
“While we may still need Russian gas this year, we won’t in the future. This is just the start,” said the minister. So far, Russia has accounted for 55 percent of Germany’s fossil fuel imports. A direct pipeline was almost ready for use.
Germany wants to install its own LNG terminals to receive gas. Liquefied natural gas for Germany is currently still arriving in the Netherlands and Belgium, among other places.
A deal with Qatar is not without controversy, because the country is the subject of complaints about human rights violations. Foreign forces in particular would be treated badly, including in the construction of infrastructure for the football World Cup later this year.
Habeck, a politician from the Green Party in Germany, said he had spoken about the matter and that Qatar was aware of the problems.
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