As Europe’s biggest economy looks for alternative supplies amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Qatar and Germany have signed a declaration to deepen their energy partnership, with a focus on trade in hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The agreement struck on Friday calls for frequent meetings between officials from both nations and establishes a working group dedicated to boosting LNG and hydrogen trade connections, as well as a working group dedicated to renewable energy.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the Gulf state, which is one of the world’s largest LNG suppliers, would be a key part of Germany’s diversification drive away from Russian imports.
“The question of energy security is very crucial to us.” At a joint news conference in Berlin with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Scholz said, “Germany will enhance its infrastructure to be able to import liquefied gas by ship.”
Russia is currently Germany’s top gas supplier, and Berlin has taken many steps to reduce its reliance on Moscow since it commenced its offensive against Ukraine in late February.
