Qatar recently threatened to freeze LNG exports due to EU import regulations. In Doha, Minister Reiche is now negotiating reliable gas deliveries – but he is saying nothing about what is being discussed.
This is a friendly welcome. Qatar’s Minister of Energy walked firmly towards Katherina Reiche and extended his hand to her. The German Minister of Economy and his host exchanged pleasant words before we started discussing the matter. The big question: Will Qatar soon send large quantities of liquefied gas to Germany?
After all, it has been agreed that two million tonnes per year starting in 2026. However, a few weeks ago Qatar openly threatened to stop deliveries if the EU did not relax its import requirements for the sake of sustainability.
Reich’s conversation lasted half an hour behind closed doors. However, the outcome of the negotiations is still unclear at this time. The press statement announced by the minister will be canceled at short notice. The ministry did not answer journalists’ questions about what was actually discussed.
Short supply feared
The current gas supply is abnormal. The filling rate of storage facilities in Germany is relatively low at the start of the heating season. Germany started the heating season “with very low storage levels of just 75 percent,” the Energy Storage Initiative (INES) said on Tuesday. If there is a particularly cold winter, there could be a supply bottleneck as early as January.
At least in this case Reiche expressed his opinion to journalists. “I don’t understand the warning,” he said. Overall, the levels are reassuring, but they will continue to monitor it. The Federal Network Agency also said there was no reason for concern.
Traveling with a group of 20 people Business delegation
Reiche am Gulf was much more open on another topic: the German economy. During his four-day visit to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, the minister repeatedly emphasized the strength of local companies. To make their business easier, Reiche traveled with a 20-member business delegation. “We are open for business,” he said at a business conference in Abu Dhabi. But at the same time, it is clear to many here that this will not be an easy task.
Because even though the economy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to grow rapidly – experts predict growth of almost five percent by 2025 – Germany is not making any progress. News of the “German Problem” has now spread to the Gulf countries. There are many problems in Germany, says a businessman from Qatar. Germany does have great brands, Mercedes, BMW. But unfortunately, there is almost no momentum for good business in Europe anymore.
Success report announced
To overcome these objections, Reiche brought along not only company representatives, but also Martin Blessing: the former head of Commerzbank and, for several weeks, the Chancellor’s “personal investment representative”. What exactly Blessing did during his travels, who he met and how he intended to convince potential German investors remains unclear. Investment officials consistently rebuffed media inquiries.
Nevertheless, the economic ministers of the Gulf countries can announce some success stories. FlyDubai airline wants to order 150 new A321neo aircraft to be produced in Hamburg. A multibillion-dollar deal to take over German company Covestro by a state-owned company from Abu Dhabi is also close to closing and will secure many jobs, Reiche announced optimistically.
And yes, of course he also spoke about human rights in the Emirates. However, similar to gas, the Minister of Finance did not reveal the details here. Such topics should be discussed “in private” and not on an open stage.
