Liquefied natural gas tops the agenda
Germany and Qatar intend to cooperate more closely on energy, said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz when he met the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The two countries signed an energy partnership. The talks focused on the issue of liquefied natural gas and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
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Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the press conference with the Emir of Qatar: “We agree that Qatar and Germany want to cooperate more closely on energy. I welcome the energy partnership that was signed with Qatar today.”
Photo: Federal Government/Steins
Germany aims to reduce its dependence on energy imports from Russia and liquefied natural gas from Qatar will help achieve this goal. This was announced by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz following his talks with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
German-Qatari energy partnership signed
The Qatari head of state announced that Qatar would rapidly expand its production of liquefied natural gas in order to satisfy the demand that has recently arisen in Germany and Europe, adding that, “Qatari gas can play a major role in Germany’s energy transformation.” On the fringes of the meeting the two parties signed a bilateral energy partnership.
The Federal Chancellor stressed that Qatar possessed enormous potential for renewable energy and hydrogen production, which would play a key role in the decarbonisation of the German economy. He also drew attention to Qatar’s importance as a high-tech trade and investment partner. “We intend to deepen our relationship in this regard, too,” said Scholz.
Qatar believes in dialogue
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and reviewed the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East peace process and nuclear talks with Iran.
“We agreed that there can be no infringement of the Charter of the United Nations, sovereignty and international borders,” the Federal Chancellor said. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani added that Qatar hoped there would soon be a peaceful solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As in all crises and conflicts, he said, Qatar put its trust in dialogue. He expressed his pride in being able to support the airlift operation last year to evacuate foreigners from Afghanistan, including around 1,000 Germans.
Anticipation rises for the football World Cup in November
The Qatari leader said Qatar was greatly looking forward to hosting the football World Cup in November this year, stressing his view that Qatar is an open-minded country with a love of sport. In response to a question he reaffirmed that all football fans would be welcome in Doha. Qatar had its own cultural identity, he said, but no one would be prevented from coming.